Frustrating end as rain forces a draw

Despite picking up 15 points, Bath were left frustrated on Saturday as rain abandoned their match against Bristol when the home side only needed two wickets for victory.

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After being asked to bat first, Bath's top-order made a strong start, with Jack Scrivens (51), Brad Porteous (77) and Kester Moseley (65) all recording half-centuries.

Supported by some strong hitting down the order from skipper Harry Ellison (32 from 16 balls), Bath finished on a very competitive 289-6 from their 50 overs.

Although rain intervened to set Bristol a revised target of 224 from 32 overs, the away side struggled from the off against some excellent bowling. Will Hope removed four of the top five in a devastating opening spell of 4-6 as Bristol slipped to 21-4 in the eighth over.

All of the other Bath bowlers kept the pressure on as wickets continued to tumble but, at 82-8 and with Bath smelling victory, the rain returned and the match was abandoned. Bath remain fourth in Premier One of the West of England Premier League.

The second side remain top of the Bristol & District League Senior Division after a strong away victory at Portishead.

After electing to bat, Bath's openers were swiftly removed as the away side slipped to 27-2. Ben Harper and skipper Charlie Rustell rebuilt the innings with a stand of 98 runs for the third wicket, before the former was bowled for a steady but important 29.