TIMSBURY made a fine start to the new cricket season with a four wicket win at home to Lansdown second eleven in the Bristol and District League Division 1. There was also a stunning win for the third team who struggled last season but who made a great start to the new campaign.

Having invited Lansdown to bat first the home side were soon in among the wickets with Martin Richards causing big problems with his off-spin. He finished his spell with the impressive figures of 5-29 and at 125-8 Timsbury were well on top.

A spirited unbeaten ninth wicket stand of 45 between Eoin Godfrey (29 not out) and Harry Goddard (24 not out) changed the complexion of the game. H nbowever, and the home side were left to chase 170.

Over the years Timsbury have become more and more reliant on the consistency of opener Mark Sage and once again he came up trumps scoring a fine 76 which included eleven fours and one six. His knock set up victory but there was also an invaluable innings of 24 not out from Gary Pearcy who batted with great maturity and with brief cameos from skipper Jesse Bishop and Paul Cracknell Timsbury reached home with time to spare.

2024 was a tough season for Timsbury’s second eleven and despite playing a division below this year they immediately witnessed the strength of opposition they might face in the Bristol and District League Division 6. A strong Stoke Bishop first eleven set an imposing total of 289-6 after batting first with Harry Abel 134 not out and Gordon Leeks making 60. There was a brace of wickets for Luke Matthews and Josh Tucker. In reply Ollie Davis batted well for his 43, new skipper Adam Workman made 25 and Henry Webb 20 but Timsbury were dismissed for 159 to lose by 130 runs.

Timsbury third eleven made the short trip to Chilcompton to play their second eleven and in an amazing reversal of fortune from last season won the match by ten wickets in the Bristol and District League Division Nine East. Batting first the home side were dismissed for 103 with James Purchase top scoring with 22. In an impressive bowling display Russ King took 3-10 and Callum Webb 3-23. The visitors then made light of the challenge with acting skipper Dan Nesbitt leading the way with an unbeaten 66 supported by Jack Bennett who was 29 not out.