TIMSBURY 116 FRENCHAY 117-5

Timsbury’s early season woes continued as they search for their first victory of the 2019 campaign following their promotion to the West of England Premier League (Bristol and North Somerset).

Once again, their batting was found wanting, and despite a spirited bowling performance, they were beaten by five wickets at home to Frenchay.

After electing to bat first, Timsbury were soon in trouble and only Mark Sage of the early batsmen defied the Frenchay attack. He was in good form before becoming one of four LBW victims for 46. Neil Hucker, coming in at number nine then showed the way to do it with a valuable knock of 25 and added twenty for the last wicket with Ellis Hancock. Ben Helps starred for the visitors with a spell of 6-31 from his ten overs, while opening bowler Ben Stoddart took 3-32.

Hucker followed up his batting with a disciplined bowling spell, conceding just twenty runs from his ten overs, and with skipper, Jon Strand, leaking only seventeen runs from his ten overs and Steve Clothier grabbing 2-35, Frenchay never found the run chase easy. At 50-4, Timsbury sensed they were in with a real chance, but a stand of 44 between Tom Bibby and Sam Pine proved crucial, and although Pine was dismissed for 21, Bibby saw his side home with an undefeated 37.

Knocks of 86 from Andy Carter and 76 from Dan Hill looked to have set up a first win of the season for Timsbury Seconds away to Bishopston Thirds, but in a thrilling, high-scoring game, they were eventually beaten by four wickets in the Bristol and District League Division Seven. Other good knocks from Neil Hulford (36) and Adam Workman (21 not-out) saw the visitors total an imposing 274-7. Hulford took 3-48 when Bishopston replied, but an innings of 129 from Adrian Newton took the home side to victory.

Timsbury Thirds couldn’t follow up their win of the previous week, losing by eight wickets at home to a strong Hambrook Thirds team. Only Matt Ball with 22 and Dan Nesbitt (18) reached double figures, and Timsbury were grateful for a generous donation of 34 extras. Hambrook raced to victory in just over 21 overs.

Malcolm Tucker