Timsbury produced a fine all round performance to beat Clevedon 2nd XI by 20 runs at home in the Bristol and District League Senior Division. The home side moved up to fourth in the table in a game reduced to 25 overs per side after heavy lunchtime rain.
After being put into bat Timsbury looked to the experienced pairing of Mark Sage and Graeme Webb to give them a good start and they did not disappoint. They added 51 for the first wicket before Sage was bowled for 29. After a circumspect start Webb then moved into full throttle hitting two sixes in a crucial knock of 38 and with some good running at the close of the innings and a generous donation of 25 extras Timsbury ended on 128-5 which always looked a challenging total. Jack Banks (3-24) was Clevedon’s most successful bowler.
Some disciplined bowling and excellent fielding saw Timsbury keep a tight control on affairs throughout the Clevedon response. Astute field placings reduced the boundaries to a minimum and the visitors managed to cross the line on just four occasions as they struggled to keep up with the asking rate. Teenager Oli Hulbert continued to impress with a spell of 3-22 aided by a superb legside stumping by Adam Brinkworth to dismiss the dangerous John Bachelor. There was also a three-wicket haul for skipper Jon Strand. Opener Connor Crane top scored for the visitors with 25.
Timsbury end their season with a trip to runaway league champions Bedminster 2nd XI while the 2nd XI will be at home to Bristol United Banks in a game that could see them lift the Division 6 championship. It is also a key weekend for Timsbury 3rd XI who entertain Golden Hill 6th XI and still have hopes of promotion in Division 14.
Saturday’s game with Clevedon saw spectators able to use the John Newth memorial seat for the first time. John was President of the club from 1982-2018 and his wife Betty came along two days prior to the match to present the seat to the community. She was thanked by Chairman Ben Hosford who praised John for the big contribution he had made to the club.
Malcolm Tucker