Timsbury made it three wins out of four in the Bristol and District League Division 1 with a five-wicket win at home to Bristol West Indian Phoenix 2nd XI. After two nailbiting finishes in the previous two weeks this was a little more comfortable for the village club who won with plenty of time to spare.
After being put into bat the visitors found it difficult to impose their authority on a varied Timsbury attack. For the first half of the Bristol side’s innings the home side depended on their seam attack. But once again it was spin that delivered later on with Martin Richards continuing his successful start to the campaign with 3-12 ably supported by Sam Hoddinott who took 3-32. Muntasir Nayeem topscored for the visitors with 34.
Mark Sage then did what Mark Sage does on a regular basis getting the home side’s response off to a good start. Together with Lew Redwood(19) he formed an important early partnership before being dismissed immediately after reaching 50. With Timsbury still not home and dry skipper Jesse Bishop, another player who has already made important contributions in 2025, ensured there would be no late hiccups with an unbeaten 25 with important support from wicketkeeper Cory Versfeld.
It was Timsbury’s second eleven who experienced the most dramatic match of the weekend winning by just two runs away to Dyrham and Hinton in the Bristol and District League Division 6 to gain their first win of the season. Josh Tucker led the way for the visitors with a knock of 69 and with Ben Saunder making 35 Timsbury were able to set a competitive total of 206-9 from their 40 overs. Andrew Lewis with 5-37 was the best of the home attack.
Ben Short with 58 and Dominic Ferguson with 41 gave the home side a good chance but four wickets from debutant spinner Yosef Parvez, who finished with 4-55, and 2-40 from Mark Smith who was making a welcome return to action kept the visitors in the game. In a tense finish Tucker completed a starring role for himself with two late wickets to seal the deal.
It was a difficult day for Timsbury’s third eleven who were beaten by 200 runs at home to strong Bristol Aces in the Bristol and District League Division 9 East. The Bristol side made 302-7 with Timsbury replying with 102, skipper Chris Rawlings contributing 44.
Malcolm Tucker