Timsbury battled hard at home against a strong Bristol West Indians Phoenix side but ultimately finished 25 runs short in their latest match in the Bristol and District League Senior Division. The visitors reached 134-3 after batting first and Timsbury did well to restrict them to 188 all out. In reply a number of the home batsmen got starts but no-one played the big innings necessary to overhaul the visitors’ total.
After winning the toss and asking the opposition to bat Timsbury made the perfect start with Arran Stewart bowling the former county player Ricardo Williams in the very first over. Sam Hoddinott at the other end bowled an impressive nine overs for figures of 2-25 but a fluent knock of 43 from Jack Baber and good supporting efforts from skipper Duval Pierre (32) and Forest Green Rovers striker Reuben Reid (24) provided a solid platform for the innings. The introduction of Kevin Sibley and Jesse Bishop to the attack paid dividends for the home side, however, with Sibley leading the way with 4-27 with Bishop ending with 3-25.
Mark Sage (21) and Gary Pearcy (22) gave Timsbury a solid start with an opening partnership of 41 but the match turned in favour of BWIP when spinner Mahin Omar came into the attack. The spinner took advantage of a slow, low pitch to help himself to five wickets at a cost of 33. Graeme Webb worked hard to keep Timsbury in the picture but despite his 37 the home side suffered their second successive home defeat.
Timsbury’s second eleven can do no wrong at the moment and for the third week in a row they rattled up a 10-wicket win. Facing a total of 190 away to Carsons and Mangotsfield they reached their target without losing a wicket. Star of the day was in-form Nathan Hawkins who made 102 not out for his maiden century with Sol Thompson giving good support with an unbeaten 65.
Malcolm Tucker