Timsbury and Pak Bristolians were involved in a thrilling finish in their Bristol and District League Senior Division encounter on the Recreation Field with the game eventually ending in a tie. The home side needed one run off the last ball but a run out scuppered their victory hopes.
After being asked to bat first Pak Bristolians put on 50 for the first wicket before Ellis Hancock celebrated his recall to the first team with a devastating burst of four wickets in three overs which saw the Bristol side decline to 65-4. Skipper Qasir Abbas then staged a recovery with a knock of 42 before he was lbw to Jon Strand. Another player who had been playing second-team cricket a week earlier, Neil Hucker, then got amongst the wickets to finish with 3-36. Hed also ran out Ismail Zia who batted for over an hour for 13 as Pak Bristolians were all out for 175. Hancock had excellent figures of 4-35 from his nine overs while skipper Steve Clothier bowled his full allotment of overs for just 12 runs.
In reply Timsbury reached 56-1 with Graeme Webb, who was playing his last game before going into hospital for a knee operation, the only casualty for 19. The introduction of Qaisar Shahbaz into the attack then turned the game in the Bristol side’s favour and his spell of 4-16 saw Timsbury struggling on 90-5. A responsible stand of 45 between Jack Williams and Jesse Bishop then started the recovery and when Williams was bowled for 20 Hucker capped a good day’s work by maintaining the impetus alongside Bishop. Seven runs were needed off the final over but crucially Bishop was caught behind off the first ball for an invaluable 30 and although Hucker (23 not out) and Arran Stewart forged six runs together they just failed to get over the line.
For the fourth time this season Timsbury seconds achieved a 10-wicket win chasing down a total of 235-6 away to Hambrook seconds. Andy Carter again showed his class with a superb unbeaten 148 with Sol Thompson lending excellent support with 51 not out. The win came in just over 24 overs with Carter notching up 631 runs for the season.
Timsbury thirds were set a target of 174 at home to Thornbury fourths but finished 51 runs short. Young Oliver Hulbert took 3-23 in eight good overs and Matt Ball also finished with 3-23. Another promising youngster Will Rawlings starred with the bat with 32 but only he and Lee Hulbert (11) reached double figures and Timsbury were grateful for a generous dose of 57 extras.
Next up for Timsbury is a visit to Old Bristolians Westbury, the seconds are home to Alveston and the thirds are away to Bitton thirds.
Malcolm Tucker