Despite half-centuries from captain Jon Strand and Kev Sibley Timsbury 1st XI slipped to a disappointing two-wicket defeat at home to Winterbourne second XI in the Bristol and District League Senior Division. After electing to bat first Timsbury lost the in-form Mark Sage early on but undeterred Strand and Sibley progressed at a cracking rate and took the score to 94 before Strand who has also been in good touch was out immediately after reaching 50. Sibley went on to make 56 and Gary Pearcy contributed 25 but the runs dried up at the end and 188-7 was to prove inadequate.
A fine spell of bowling from Sam Hoddinott who took 3-21 in his nine overs then reduced the visitors to 88-5 but a sixth-wicket stand of 82 between Raja Arbaz Hussain (46) and Mike Green (42 not out) proved crucial. With Timsbury leaking 22 wides and 32 extras in all, Winterbourne took the points.
Timsbury’s second eleven were involved in a thrilling tie away to Brislington third XI in the Bristol and District League Division 5. Batting first Timsbury compiled an impressive 220-6 with Will Rawlings leading the way with 58, Sol Thompson made 43 and there were encouraging knocks from teenagers GeorgeWebb (27 not out) and Freddie Hosford (25 not out).
Luke Holloway (45) and Laurence Damary-Hanan (33) led the Brislington reply but three wickets for Rob Clothier and two each for Zak Cox and Steve Clothier, together with a tight spell from Neil Hucker (1-13 in 8 overs), kept Timsbury in the game. Brislington then needed two off the last ball to win but John Noel was run out by Hucker going for the second run.
Timsbury 3rd XI showed a lot of character to recover from a seemingly losing position to beat Brislington 4th XI by two wickets at home in the Bristol and District League Division 13. There were two wickets each for Robbie Haigh and Neil Hulford as the visitors reached 151-9. Cory Versfeld opening the home batting hit a fine 51 but a steady clatter of wickets made Brislington favourites until a late resurgence led by Haigh (38 not out) saw Timsbury over the line in an excellent contest.
Malcolm Tucker