Rain ruined what looked like being a close finish when Timsbury travelled to Chew Magna for a traditional pre-season friendly. The home side made 186-4 in their 40 overs and Timsbury were 161-7 from 31.1 overs when the heavens opened.
The Chew openers David Lawrence and Steve Ive made an excellent start to the new campaign with an opening stand of 147. Lawrence notched up an undefeated century before retiring on 101 while Ive compiled 40 before being stumped by Adam Brinkworth off the bowling of new skipper Jon Strand. Sam Hoddinott bowled a tight spell of five overs for just seven runs but the most successful bowler was last year’s player of the year Kevin Sibley who took 3-28 from his eight overs.
Timsbury made the worst possible start in reply with last year’s leading run scorer Mark Sage bowled by Brian Brogdon from the first ball of the innings. Sol Thompson and Graeme Webb also went cheaply but the response flourished when this season’s vice-captain Brinkworth was joined by Sibley.
Brinkworth’s sparkling knock of 63 included eight fours and a six while the consistent Sibley made 29. Dan Hill was 18 not out and had just been joined by Strand when the rain had the final word. Mike Denning recorded Chew’s best bowling figures with 3-28 and skipper Charlie Thompson took 2-18.
After promotion to the West of England Premier League Timsbury begin their league campaign on Saturday with a home fixture with Bristol’s second eleven. The second eleven visit Bristol Pakistanis second string and the third team are home to Pucklechurch seconds.
Malcolm Tucker