Timsbury notched up a crucial three-wicket win at home to Hanham in the Bristol and District League Senior Division, a result that could have a big bearing on the relegation issue at the foot of the table. It enabled Timsbury to leapfrog their opponents and with one game remaining they are six points ahead of the Bristol side.
After being asked to bat first Hanham struggled to get any partnerships together before Luke Stone (30) and Dan Jackson (23) added 44 for the sixth wicket to set up the prospects of a challenging total on a none-too easy-wicket. The introduction of Greg Passingham to the attack saw the visitors’ innings implode, however, and his spell of 4-25 saw them lose their last five wickets for just 16 runs and decline to 134 all out. Earlier Sam Hoddinott had bowled a miserly spell of 2-13 in his nine overs.
Jon Strand who had sustained a calf injury while fielding then hobbled his way to a vital 31 after opening the batting for Timsbury before Passingham for the second week in a row displayed his all-round prowess with a knock of 38 to set up victory for the home side. A lusty innings of 24 from Jack Williams took them close to the finishing line which came with three overs to spare in a total of 137-7 and a haul of 17 points. Opening bowler Jack Always produced a fine spell of bowling for Hanham to finish with figures of 3-19 in nine overs.
Timsbury second eleven‘s 56-run defeat away to Bristol Sri Lankans in the Bristol and District League Division 5 bore an uncanny resemblance to their meeting earlier in the season. Against the strongest team in the division who have already been confirmed as champions Timsbury again put up a fine display in the field to restrict the Bristol side to 142 but were unable to deal with a potent home attack when replying.
Opener bowler Liam Hosford led the way for Timsbury with a fine spell of 4-24 and with James Rawlings (2-13) bowling a tight eight overs backed up by sharp fielding the Sri Lankans were heavily dependant on Opatha Thisun Adeepa who made 54 out of the home side’s total. Timsbury found it hard going in chasing their target and were all out for 86 with Cory Versfeld (31) the one batsman to come to terms with the challenge.
Malcolm Tucker