Another outstanding innings from opener, Mark Sage, ushered Timsbury to a four wicket home win over league leaders, Pak Bristolians, in the Bristol and District League Senior Division. After a disciplined bowling and fielding display, which restricted the visitors to 174 all out, Timsbury threatened to miss out on a vital win when they slipped to 125–6, but Sage, aided by Paul Cracknell, held firm to see his side home through.

Pak Bristolians got off to a flier after being put into bat and were 58–0 after ten overs. Jon Strand (2–29) and Steve Clothier (2–26) then put the shackles on the Bristol side and when their bowling spells came to an end, Jess Bishop (4–35) in eight impressive overs and Tom Parfitt (1–21) continued the good work. Openers, Saqib Butt (45) and Shazil Mustafa put on seventy for the visitors’ first wicket before the strong Timsbury fight back.

In reply, a series of injudicious shots saw Sage’s partners come and go, but the experienced batsman, who has already compiled 784 runs this season, was not to be moved. He batted throughout for an undefeated 92 and sensible support from Cracknell (fourteen not out) in an unbroken seventh wicket stand of 51 did the job for the home side. Pak Bristolians contributed to their demise by bowling 27 wides with 34 extras by far the second highest contributor to the Timsbury total. Saqib Butt followed up his innings with 2–23 from nine tight overs and Captain, Haroon Mustafa, also bowled well for his figures of 2–29.

M. Tucker