Timsbury 108 Bristol West Indians Phoenix 113-2

Timsbury entertained Bristol West Indies/Phoenix in the Bristol and District League Senior Division after a deluge of rain the previous evening. It was evident winning the toss was vital.The visitors did so and had no hesitation in inserting the hosts. 

As the ball ’stuck’ in the damp green top and with significant lateral movement off the seam, batting was uncomfortable at best. Ishtiaq Ishaq took the first four wickets to fall, and with another shortly afterwards, Timsbury soon found themselves five down. Matt Brinkworth; Ed Singleton and Jessie Bishop concentrated hard in the conditions to put up some sort of resistance. Only Singleton with twelve and Jessie Bishop, with a quality 35 including three sixes made it into double figures and with a generous helping of extras, Timsbury were all out for 108 after 36 overs. Vishal Mangai, with a triple wicket maiden, concluded the home side’s innings in a four wicket haul of his own.

Timsbury, looking to defend the low total, had to be positive in their field placings from the off, which allowed the West Indies to take advantage of hitting over the top. Excellent catches from Nathan Hawkins and Sam Hoddinott, off Alex Young and Ellis Hancock, respectively, gave Timsbury some hope, but with the ball just dropping over fielders, ex-county players, James Pearson (28 not out) and Jack Baber (38 not out) saw the West Indies comfortably over the winning line after only sixteen overs, thereby ending Timsbury’s league-winning start to the season. 

Report by Mike Passingham