Twenty wickets fell for just 125 runs on an extraordinary afternoon of cricket at Timsbury in the Senior Division of the Bristol and District League with Frenchay defending a meagre total of 67 to win by nine runs. As the totals indicate there was a lot of good bowling coupled with some tentative batting and Timsbury will reflect on a missed opportunity to move up to second in the table.
After winning the toss everything went to plan for Timsbury in the first half of the game. Arran Stewart bowled a superb opening spell dismissing the dangerous Mike Donaldson from the second ball of the Frenchay innings and with Sam Hoddinott keeping it tight at the other end the visitors subsided to 25-6. Captain Alex Stell led a mini revival before Timsbury skipper Steve Clothier announced his arrival into the attack with three wickets with his first nine balls and Frenchay were dismissed for 67. Stewart finished with 4-19 and Clothier 4-10. 19 extras were the highest contributor to the Frenchay total and 18 wides were ultimately to prove crucial.
If Timsbury enjoyed their tea they were soon made aware of the slippery slope ahead. The dismissal of Mark Sage from the first ball of the reply set the tone and with Jon Strand also going early to the impressive Ben Stoddart, Timsbury were soon under the cosh. Opener Gary Pearcy batted well to achieve the highest score of the game – 20 but once he went the home innings imploded. Excellent bowling from Stoddart (4-9) and Stell (4-12) saw Timsbury lose their last 7 wickets for just 24 runs.
It was not all bad news for the Timsbury club with the seconds winning by 10 wickets for the second week running. Their victory away to Bristol Malayalee saw Andy Carter hit an unbeaten 101 including 12 fours and 8 sixes while Sol Thompson grabbed a hat-trick and young Oli Davis took three wickets. The thirds also shone with an eight wicket win away to United Banks 2nds. Lee Hulbert hit 52 and there were three wickets for Lewis Bond-Kendall.
On Saturday Timsbury will be without skipper Clothier as they face another tough home match against Bristol West Indian Phoenix.
Malcolm Tucker