A 15-run defeat away to Lansdown 2ndXI in the penultimate game of the season ended any realistic hopes of promotion for Timsbury in the Bristol and District League Division 1. In a game reduced to 25 overs after heavy morning rain the visitors were second best for most of the contest and it needed a lively last-wicket stand of 44 between Sam Hoddinott and Martin Richards to give the scorecard a more respectable look.
After electing to bat first Lansdown got off to a good start with Bowery (31) and Cheal (20) adding 51 for the first wicket in fast time before Liam Hosford took two quick wickets to end with figures of 2-15 from his five overs. Veal (46 not out) and Thomas (39) maintained the momentum and despite two late wickets from Greg Passingham Lansdown ended on 142-5.
The Timsbury innings got off to a poor start and it was only when skipper Jesse Bishop began to launch a counter attack that hopes were raised. His run out for 26 when he was going well proved a pivotal moment as the visitors declined to 83-9. Hoddinott (29) and Richards (14 not) refused to go down without a fight, however, but their late effort was not quite enough.
Malcolm Tucker