Timsbury Cricket

It was a case of so near and yet so far for Timsbury 1st XI who were beaten by just 5 runs at home to Frenchay in a high scoring game in the West of England Premier League (Bristol and North Somerset ). Chasing a total of 231 Timsbury were always in the game and at 161-4 were probably favourites but two crucial lbw decisions in the same over stunted their progress and despite plenty of aggression down the order they fell just short.

Frenchay’s strength lies at the top of their batting order in the form of Mike Donaldson and Wayne Kylander and although Timsbury got rid of Donaldson for 19 Kylander went on to 51 before he was beautifully caught by Matt Brinkworth standing up to Ian Ettle. Ettle was to go on to record his best figures for the first team in a fine sustained spell of 4-59 in 13 overs and after reaching 142-2 the visitors never quite capitalised on their good start with Timsbury putting in a determined effort in the field. Jordan Khan (47) and skipper Masoor Khan (40) still ensured that the Bristol side set a competitive total.

It looked even better for them when debutant Doug Storey and Mark Smith were back in the pavilion with just 7 on the board but in-form Timsbury skipper Mark Sage and Jez Hare then dug in and added 74 before Sage somehow missed a straight one for 39. Hare and a fluent Greg Passingham kept the momentum going before Hare was lbw for 38 and Darren Wilkins demonstrated his intent by hitting his first ball for four. Passingham played some delightful shots before he was also lbw for 47 and when both Wilkins and Jer Thompson suffered similar fates the initiative was back with Frenchay. A late flourish from Neil Hucker (30 not out) was not quite enough as the home side finished on 226-9 although they did collect their full allotment of batting bonus points. Masoor Khan (3-17) was Frenchay’s most successful bowler and there was a brace each for the animated Stuart Gould and Ayub Khan.

Timsbury 2nd XI kept up the pressure on league leaders Claverham with a five wicket win away to Frenchay in the second eleven section. Despite being without skipper Steve Teall and several of the regular team the replacements did well although it needed a typically belligerent knock from acting skipper Paul Cracknell to seal victory after a batting collapse caused a few jitters.

Timsbury put the home side in to bat and promptly bowled them out for 91. Bern Murphy conceded 12 in his first over and then proceeded to bowl his next 12 for just 14 runs to finish with excellent figures of 4-26. He was well supported by Aaron Stewart who confirmed his promise with an aggressive spell of 4-31 in which he uprooted the off-stump on three occasions. Ashley Swain ended the innings with 1-1 and only Martin Lacey with 20 offered real resistance.

Jack Williams and Adam Brinkworth got the Timsbury reply off to a steady start with an opening stand of 29 but then a three wicket burst from Ian McCormack saw the visitors crash to 50-5. At that stage the up-beat bowler had figures of 3-2 from five overs but six balls later his analysis read 3-24 after Cracknell had smashed four fours and a six in his next over. The acting skipper eventually ended with 36 not out and with good support from Swain (13 not out) saw his team home.

Timsbury’s young B side are still looking for their first win in the Bristol and District A XI League Division 2 after losing by seven wickets at home to Bradley Stoke A. Kelvin Hancock held the Timsbury innings together with a fine knock of 45 in a total of 127-7. 49 from Daniel Hardwick saw the Bristol side comfortably home.

On Saturday Timsbury have a tough fixture at home to Claverham while the seconds make the journey to Claverham for the top-of-the-table reverse match.

Report by Malcolm Tucker


Page published on: 8th July, 2009
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