With one game of the first half of the season to go Timsbury stand at the top of the Bristol and District League Division 1. In a low-scoring encounter on a slow, low pitch dominated by the slow bowlers they defeated Hambrook at home by five wickets.
After electing to bat first the visitors’ innings never got going. The in-form Sam Hoddinott made the initial significant impact taking 3-20 from his eight overs and was later well supported by Martin Richards (3-24) and Jon Strand (3-28) as Hambrook were dismissed for 97.
Any suggestion that Timsbury would coast to victory was soon put to bed as the Hambrook spinners Dyer (2-13) in his eight overs, and Perry (2-36) caused similar problems and a steady flow of wickets saw the game tantalisingly poised at 67-5. Not for first time this season it was the experience of Kev Sibley that came to the fore at a vital stage. With crucial support from Cory Versfeld (18 not out) his undefeated knock of 34 saw Timsbury over the line with more than 10 overs to spare.
Timsbury seconds are making a habit of being involved in nailbiting finishes and they were at it again chasing down 228 away to Whitchurch 2nd XI to win by two wickets with just three balls left in the Bristol and District League Division 6. The home innings was dominated by Ian Page who made an impressive 91 as the home side amassed 228-8 from their 40 overs . Freddie Hosford led from the front for Timsbury with a fine spell of 3-21 from eight tight overs with OllieHulbert also weighing in with three wickets.
In response Timsbury lost two early wickets but a key partnership between Josh Tucker and Hosford got them back on track before Hosford’s positive day ended with him dismissed for 31. Tucker, however, continued his successful season with an excellent knock of 88 and with great support late on from Sam Sparks who made 32, the visitors kept up the momentum and in a thrilling finish Hulbert ‘s boundary in the last over completed the job.
An inexperienced Timsbury third team were no match for a strong Lansdown third eleven and were beaten by 226 runs in the Bristol and District League Division 9 East. Williams (121) and Costello (60 not out) saw the home side set a challenging 276-4 with Oliver Mallon taking 2-59. Paul Sage with 22 fought hard for the visitors but Humphries (3-8) and Edwards (3-19) saw them shot out for 50.
Malcolm Tucker