A 15-RUN defeat away to Lansdown 2nd XI 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 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.