It was a disappointing start to the new league cricket season for Timsbury Cricket Club with defeats for all three teams. There was a huge gulf in the margins of defeat, however, with the first team losing by ten wickets at home to Frenchay but the third team going down by just four runs at home to Chipping Sodbury fourths.
The senior side were outplayed by a strong Frenchay outfit who had been relegated from the West of England Premier League alongside Timsbury in 2019. Having elected to bat first the home side lost Mark Sage in the first over and thereafter it was a catalogue of dismissals against a potent Bristol attack. Gary Pearcy and captain Jon Strand who both made 18 and vice-captain Adam Brinkworth (17) were the only batsmen to reach double figures as Timsbury were shot out for 78.
Eddie Williams (4-25) and Chare Smith (3-10) were the most successful of the visitors’ bowlers. To rub salt in the wounds Reece Bevan (48 not out) and Mike Donaldson (28 not out) saw Frenchay home for a ten wicket win in less than 13 overs.
An innings of 151 not out from opener Roshan Perera was the deciding factor in the second team’s 57 run defeat away to Bristol Sri Lankans 1st XI. He played a fine innings but Timsbury will rue a number of fielding errors that proved costly. In an innings of 267-5 young Timsbury bowler Zak Cox can hold his head high with figures of 1-21 from his eight overs. After losing two early wickets Sol Thompson (73) and Dan Hill (65) came together to give the seconds hope but a mid-order collapse saw them eventually finish well short.
Timsbury thirds were happy to bowl out Chipping Sodbury fourths for 137 at the school ground. Chairman’s son Freddie Hosford led the way with fine figures of 2-14 from his seven overs and Matt Bryant took 2-21 from his allotment. Dave Nowell led the response with 28 but a spell of 5-19 from Mike Pearson proved crucial as Timsbury slipped to a four run defeat.
Malcolm Tucker