Timsbury ended their season in disappointing fashion with a three-wicket defeat at home to near neighbours Midsomer Norton 2nd XI in the Bristol and District League Division 1. After leading the division for large parts of the campaign they ultimately finished in fourth place.
After electing to bat first Timsbury posted a competitive total of 180 which at one stage looked as though it might be enough. Kev Sibley led the Timsbury effort with his best knock of the season (34 not out) and there were useful contributions from Jon Strand (27), Mark Sage (25) and skipper Jesse Bishop (21). The experienced visitors’ attack kept a generally tight rein on things with Martin Cox recording the best figures of 3-28 with brother Andy Cox (2-28), Chris Phylips (2-36) and Nick Potter (2-38) lending good support.
A second-wicket stand of 93 between Dean Clifton (57) and Martin Cox (46) set the visitors on their way but the introduction of spinner Martin Richards brought Timsbury right back into the game. Richards who has made a big impact in his first season of first-team cricket took 3-18 and at 115-5 the game was wide open. It was Midsomer Norton who held their nerve, however, and with Jon Ablett making 34 they won with two overs to spare.
It has been a tough season for Timsbury’s second eleven and they finished the season with a six-wicket defeat away to St Mary Redcliffe in the Bristol and District League Division 5. After being asked to bat first the visitors were indebted to a ninth-wicket stand of 59 between Henry Webb (40) and Sam Sparks (26 not out) in enabling them to reach 175. Earlier Sol Thompson had contributed 33 and Amul Desai had taken 4-44 for the Bristol side. Desai then led the way for the home side with a knock of 70 and his second-wicket stand of 114 with George Aldous (67) laid the foundations for the win.
Malcolm Tucker