A convincing 61-run home victory over bottom club Clevedon 2nd XI has seen Timsbury rise to the top of the Bristol and District League Division 1 with just two games of the season remaining. With local neighbours Midsomer Norton 2nd XI just three points behind and Whitchurch, who Timsbury play in the last game of the campaign, a further five points back it all adds up to an exciting finale.
After electing to bat first the home side compiled an imposing 258-6 from their 40 overs, the highest total on the ground this season. The main contributors were two players who are enjoying prolific campaigns with the bat. Opening the batting Kev Sibley made 77 and Paul Cracknell finished unbeaten on 52. There were also useful knocks from Jez Hare (26) and Gary Pearcy (25) while for the second week in a row the home side were helped by a donation of wides, 51 in all.
Clevedon never seriously threatened the Timsbury total but after losing a wicket in Liam Hosford’s first over they batted tenaciously. Jake Brand and Josh Bray took them to 95-1 before Bray was dismissed for 39. Brand continued to bat well but wickets started to fall regularly at the other end and the main issue was whether the home side would bowl the visitors out and collect their full collection of bonus points.
Entering the last over Timsbury still needed two wickets. A fine catch from wicketkeeper Cory Versfeld and an inspired run out from skipper Jesse Bishop saw the home side gain the crucial five bowling points with just one delivery remaining. Brand’s fine knock saw him reach a well-deserved century in Clevedon’s total of 197 while Hare led the bowling honours with 4-34 and Hosford finished with 3-26.
Timsbury second eleven made it two wins in a row with a three-wicket victory away to Thornbury third eleven in the Bristol and District League Division 6. Thornbury, the division’s basement side, batted well and thanks to James Slade (76 not out) and David Hammond (48) set a challenging total of 207-6.
James Rawlings put in a good shift for the visitors taking 3-17 and there were two wickets for Alex Nicholson. Club chairman Ben Hosford, fully refreshed from his Greek holiday, anchored the Timsbury reply with a fine knock of 76 and there was good support from Dan Hill (29), Rawlings (22) and skipper Adam Workman (20) with the visitors ending on 208-7 with five overs remaining.
Timsbury’s third team had an enjoyable match at home to Bristol Lions in the Bristol and District League Division 9 East before eventually going down by two wickets. Timsbury managed 110 after electing to bat first with the main contributors Paul Sage (24) and captain Chris Rawlings (18). Matt Ball with 4-33 kept Timsbury in the game throughout and with Oscar Mallon taking 2-24 the Bristol side were made to work hard before reaching their target.
Malcolm Tucker