Timsbury ended the season on a high, with a seventy-run home win over Portishead in the Bristol and District League Senior Division. It needed an invaluable seventh wicket partnership of 85 between Kevin Sibley and Jon Strand, however, to set up the victory, after another top order collapse.
After deciding to bat first, the home side had slipped to 85–6 before Sibley and Strand came together. They doubled the score before Strand was bowled for 29.
Sibley went on to make a crucial sixty and with Sam Hoddinott lending good support, Timsbury finished on 213 with Captain, Steve Clothier, bowled off the final ball of the 45 overs.
Charlie Mott was the most successful Portishead bowler, with figures of 3–52, while there was a brace of victims for Charlie Dangerfield, Nigel Armstrong and Shaun Todd.
The visitors made the worst possible start, with Ollie Savory bowled for 0 in Tom Clark’s first over of the innings. Clark, who has enjoyed a successful first full season for the club, but who is moving to Sweden, proceeded to take the first three wickets at a cost of 28, and with both Strand and Graeme Webb taking two wickets each, the visitors declined to 97–8. Throughout that period Nigel Armstrong remained strong and with late support from Robert Chick, helped Portishead rally before late wickets from Nathan Hawkins (3–24) saw them 143 all out. Armstrong
finished undefeated for an excellent eighty.
At the end of the game, both teams applauded off 84-year-old umpire, John Tiplady, who was officiating in his last league match and Timsbury Captain, Steve Clothier, presented him with a club tie.
Malcolm Tucker