TIMSBURY strengthened their position at the top of the Bristol and District League Division 1 with a  convincing  51 run win away to Lodway.

The sun shone for Timsbury’s first visit to the delightful ground for many years and they took advantage with a  confident  all-round performance that reaped another 20 point return.

After being invited to bat first Timsbury saw opener Mark Sage suffer a rare failure but Greg Passingham continued his good start to the new season before a loose shot saw him dismissed for 19.

The backbone of the innings came with a fine fourth wicket stand of 84 between this year’s recruit Lewis Redwood and Gary Pearcy. Redwood was eventually out for an invaluable 61 while Pearcy played some delightful shots in his innings of 45. Timsbury’s total of 211-5 benefitted from a generous donation of 49 extras from the home side including 38 wides.

Teenager Liam Hosford struck two early blows when Lodway replied but knocks of 41 from Rice and 35 from Pearce kept them in the game and at 112-3 the issue was still in doubt. Martin Richards (2-32) then made the breakthrough for the visitors and a devastating spell of 5-25 from Passingham saw the home side decline to 160 all out. 

While Timsbury’s senior side continue to prosper it has been tough times for  Timsbury’s second  and third elevens with the absence of  so many regular players continuing to be a major factor in their results.

The seconds entertained a strong Bristol United Banks first eleven in the Bristol and District League Division 5 and  were beaten by 114 runs. Bilal Raja (83) dominated the visitors’ innings of 201-7 with Jake Alexander and Sam Sparks both taking two wickets each. Acting captain Dan Hill top scored for the home side with 24 but with Amir Mohammed taking 4-8 Timsbury were dismissed for 87.

Timsbury’s inexperienced third eleven continue to battle hard in the Bristol and District League Division 9 East but again they faced strong opposition and were beaten at home by Bristol New Eleven 2nd XI by 192 runs.

However the youngsters stuck to their task commendably and there were two wickets each for Callum Webb, Neil Watkins and captain Chris Rawlings in the total of 265-8. Andrew Smith then top scored for Timsbury with 32 but Manoj Varghase’s haul of 5-7 saw the home side dismissed for 73.