CHILCOMPTON SPORTS 129-4 ABBOTS LEIGH 125 all-out

Chilcompton travelled to Abbots Leigh looking to bounce back from the previous week’s disappointing defeat. Skipper, Futcher, won the toss, decided to have a bowl and opened up with Jack Ford and First Team debutant, Lauren Bowen-Jones.

Lauren Bowen-Jones struck early and often for Chili on her way to magnificent figures of 4-28 in her nine overs to earn the Player of the Match Award. Stevie Rivers produced some wonder deliveries, taking 3-19 with James Purchase (2-19) and Kieran Thick (1-3) taking the remaining wickets as the hosts stumbled to a paltry 125 in 37 overs.

After tea, Ben Futcher and Kieran Thick opened up the innings before Thick snicked off for 16. Nathan Crocker and James Purchase failed to trouble the scorers and Chili were struggling at 28-3 with over 100 runs still required. Chili regrouped with Ben Futcher (54) and Sam Hudson (28 not-out) cautiously rebuilding the innings until the skipper decided to try and end the game quickly by holing out to his favourite corner.

A thirsty Jared Greenhalgh (28 not-out) joined Hudson and added the acceleration to take the visitors to a six-wicket victory with nine overs still remaining. Chili First Team look to continue their winning ways next week at Almondsbury.

CHILCOMPTON SATURDAY 2nds 220-9 MELLS 237-5

Skipper for the day, Dave Travis, lost the toss and Mells chose to bat on a lovely day at the Chilcompton Sports Ground.

Keiran Rogers led the way with 71, and he was well-supported by Steve Smith (32), Rich Rogers (38) and E. Xtras (50). A makeshift attack struggled to tame the big-hitting Mells team, although Clive Christer (0-18), Mike Gooderham (2-33) and Tim Fussell (1-29) all turned in excellent bowling figures.

After tea, Mark Colbourne (33) and Kyle Gloudemans (74) gave the home side a good start, before Colbourne departed with the score on 62 in the seventeenth over. After Fussell departed LBW, Dave Travis (41) joined Gloudemans, and the pair added 71 in eight overs to give the home team a sniff of victory.

When the skipper departed trying one too many slogs to leg, Paul Dening (33 not-out) joined the stylish Gloudemans to continue the progress, chasing down the large total. After Gloudemans departed for an excellent 74, the home side just fell short by seventeen runs, despite some excellent shots from the evergreen Dening.

Chili Seconds entertain Thornbury next Saturday, 18th May at home, looking to get back to winning ways.

CHILCOMPTON SUNDAY XI 133-9 CARSONS MANGOTSFIELD 134-8

On a hot and sunny day, Chilcompton Sunday XI travelled to Pomphrey Hill to take on Carsons Mangotsfield.

After losing the toss, Chilcompton were invited to bat first on a track where no-one knew what was going to happen next.

After a losing two quick wickets and a succession of maiden overs, Chilcompton were struggling to put a score on the board. Vice Captain, Matt Rivers (24), and young Frazer Collins (14) managed a 28-run partnership to try and restore some faith in the innings.

After the departure of Collins, Alex Fudge (7), Wayne Higgins (10) and Nick Johnston (5) didn’t hang around long. At the second drinks break, Jon Doel (28 not-out) and Miles Hadrill (8) set about trying to get Chilcompton through their allotted overs.

A nine-over partnership saw seventeen runs added to the scorecard before being allowed to play with freedom for the last five overs. Hadrill fell and Lauren Bowen-Jones was run-out in the cause for runs.

Skipper, Rich Gillard (2 not-out), came in at number eleven and despite wearing the first ball on his shoulder, did well to get to the other end for quick singles. Chilcompton ended on 133-for-9 on what was a tasty bowling track. The pick of the Carson Mangotsfield bowlers were J. Pitt (5-0-9) including three maidens.

After a superb tea, Chilcompton set about defending what was thought to be a reasonable total. Going at just over three-runs-an-over, Matt Rivers (8-2-21) and Lauren Bowen-Jones (8-0-23) were replaced by Jon Doel and Harrison Veale (7.2-0-14). Between them they managed to reduce the run rate, and Doel took five excellent wickets in his cause (8-5-20).

With a succession of bowling changes, including M. Rivers coming back and taking two wickets, Carsons Mangotsfield slowed down and made a victory for Chilcompton vary possible. Surviving a stumping shout, the Carsons Mangotsfield skipper, J. Cathro, saw Carsons Mangotfield over the line with just over two overs left.

Chilcompton welcome Pak Bristolians to the home ground next week as they look to get back to their 2018 winning ways.

Dave Travis