TIMSBURY 181 KNOWLE 184-5
It was very much a case of déjà-vu, with the visitors failing to build on another promising start. After electing to bat first on a boiling hot day, Timsbury got off to a rousing start, with Mark Sage and Kev Sibley posting 42 after just four overs – Sage was particularly severe on young opening bowler, Jacob Reeves, who conceded 28 in his only two overs.
The partnership was broken after an opening stand of 74, when Sibley was LBW for 11, and although Sol Thompson fell cheaply, Sage continued to bat well. Together with skipper, Jon Strand, he took the score to 121 before falling victim to the home skipper’s first ball for 65.
Strand followed soon after for a season’s best 27, and Graeme Webb showed a welcome return to form with a lively knock of 35 before holing out. Thereafter, the resistance was lukewarm and Timsbury were all-out for 181, with Brimble finishing with 4-44.
Knowle got off to a steady start before Sam Hoddinott made a double breakthrough, dismissing Ryan Pieterson and the dangerous South African overseas signing, Darryl Losper, as the home side reached 51-2. Opener, Jake Luffman, reached a confident 50 before Jon Strand removed both him and Oliver Haynes, and with Ian Mills run-out, the home side were in trouble at 101-5.
However, Brimble found a reliable partner in Sam Britton, and together they took the home side to the victory line with some sensible batting. Brimble finished a fine all-round match undefeated on 58, and Britton was 40 not-out. Timsbury made the home side work hard for their success, and young wicketkeeper, Dan Nesbitt, acquitted himself well on his First Team debut.
Timsbury Seconds’ League match with Saltford was cancelled as the visitors were unable to raise a side, but a rapidly-arranged fixture with Chilcompton – who had suffered a similar fate against Chew Magna Seconds – turned into a run-fest.
Skipper, Ben Hosford, and Adam Workman both hit 84, Greg Passingham contributed 41 and Rob Clothier 36, as Timsbury reached an imposing 284-6 in their forty overs. In the end it was not enough, as an undefeated 101 from James Purchase and 97 from Jack Ford saw Chilcompton to a seven-wicket win with three balls to spare.
Timsbury Thirds were let down by their top order when chasing Bristol YMCA’s total of 158 and despite a battling performance from some of the younger players were beaten by 23 runs. Ben Smith – who had earlier taken 2-22 – was top scorer on 36; Alex Lane made 29 and Oliver Hulbert followed up his 2-25 with a promising 17 before he was run-out.
Malcolm Tucker