Timsbury and Bath 2nd XI will both be almost certainly saying goodbye to the West of England Premier League (Bristol and North Somerset) at the end of the season. Table-topping Bath are set to join the Bristol and Somerset section with Timsbury returning to the Bristol and District League. The issue was virtually confirmed with Bath beating Timsbury by seven wickets at North Parade in the penultimate fixture of the season.
After electing to bat on a glorious summer’s afternoon Timsbury could have lost one of their season’s mainstays, Mark Sage, as early as the third ball but he survived a comfortable catching opportunity. Adam Brinkworth was not as fortunate being well caught at slip for seven but Sage was joined by Kev Sibley and together they added 59 for the second wicket with some fine shots.
Sibley was then caught at cover off a leading edge for 27 but Sage, back in familiar surroundings, passed 50 before being caught on the boundary off the bowling of Phil Lyle for 64. Jesse Bishop returned to form to construct a valuable innings of 35 but there were few other notable contributions with Lyle finishing with 5-35.
Bath got off to a flying start with 17 coming from the first over including 12 leg byes. Opener Joe Jenkins looked in good form and his 65 put the league leaders well on their way to victory with Australian Alain Hewett finishing the job off with an undefeated 57.
Timsbury second eleven were comfortable seven-wicket winners at home to Coalpit Heath 2nd XI. The visitors were bowled out for 76 with three wickets each for Ed Roberts and Dan Hill and a brace for Greg Passingham. Timsbury wrapped up victory in 15 overs with Gary Pearcy 29 not out and opener Adam Workman (20) the main contributors.
Teenagers Ben Smith (35) and Joe Kinnear (22) both batted well for Timsbury thirds away to Old Bristolians Westbury fourth eleven and with Matt Ball striking 26 the side looked on the way to a decent score before a sudden collapse saw them dismissed for 103. Josh Bond-Kendall then took 3-20 when the home side batted but it was not enough to avoid a six-wicket defeat.
Malcolm Tucker