Timsbury missed a great opportunity to claim a notable scalp and grab their second win of the season when they went down by 32 runs at home to a strong Bath second eleven in the West of England Premier League (Bristol and North Somerset). Chasing a Bath score of 207-6 Timsbury were 93-0 but once more the side failed to build on the excellent start given them by openers Mark Sage and Adam Brinkworth.
After being asked to bat first Bath made slow progress and after 35 overs had reached just 78-2. Ellis Hancock’s first six overs yielded just four runs, Sam Hoddinott recorded figures of 1-26 from his 10 overs while Kev Sibley was equally miserly (0-15 from 10 overs).
However, skipper and opener Ben Ackland and Australian Alain Hewett gradually increased the momentum and their stand of 87 laid the base for a late onslaught by the later batsmen that took Bath to a challenging 207-6. Ackland’s patient innings saw him bat for two and half hours for 70 while Hewett made 52.
For Timsbury Sage and Brinkworth immediately took up the challenge and in stark contrast had rattled up 92 by the 13th over. However, the introduction of ex-Timsbury all-rounder Jack Scrivens proved the turning point as he claimed the wickets of Brinkworth for 41 and Sage for 40 followed by the crucial dismissal of Sibley thanks to a fine catch by Ackland. A promising sixth wicket stand of 35 between Jesse Bishop, who batted sensibly for 29, and skipper Jon Strand raised Timsbury’s hopes but once Bishop had gone the end came quickly. Scrivens finished with 3-24 and Will Arney took 3-47.
Timsbury seconds dominated their away fixture with Coalpit Heath seconds but despite winning by 119 runs were left frustrated at the end when the home side’s last pair defied the Timsbury attack with an unbeaten partnership of 65. Timsbury set a challenging total of 271-5 with Rob Clothier leading the way with an undefeated 92, opener Sol Thompson made 74 and Adam Workman 53.
The visitors made early inroads in the Coalpit Heath response and with Gary Pearcy taking 5-23 an early finish looked on the cards. However, Dean May (41 not out) and last man Matthew Toms(28 not out) had other ideas and at the close were still there with the score 152-9.
Seb Nix hit 43 and Alex Lane 24 for the third eleven at home to Old Bristolians Westbury 4th eleven but their total of 111 never looked enough. Lane completed a good all-round game with 2-27 and Oliver Davis took 3-16 but the home side were beaten by five wickets.