Mixed results for Bath over weekend

Bath faced one of their closest rivals in the West of England Premier League Premier One as Potterne came to North Parade on Saturday.

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After Harry Ellison opted to bat, Bath slumped to 53-6 on a wicket that was offering considerable lateral movement to the seamers.

Sam Young then delivered one of his most mature innings for the club, steadily rebuilding and batting effectively with the tail to finish unbeaten on 115 as Bath were bowled out for 197.

Potterne’s reply got off to a very positive start when the opening partnership swiftly passed 50. The introduction of George Axtell completely changed momentum as he removed the top four in a spell of 4-31. Potterne were now 111-4, with only 87 required to win.

As the visitors inched closer, the combination of James Arney (3-42) and Spencer Gammon (3-14) took six wickets for just 24 runs to bowl Potterne out for 162, 26 runs short. Bath picked up the maximum 20 points again to remain joint-top with Frocester.

Bath were then knocked out of the ECB National Club Championship on Sunday after losing by just 15 runs against Usk at North Parade on Sunday.

After Usk posted 243-7 from their 40 overs, Bath got off to a positive start before Jack Scrivens (12) went in the third over with 20 on the board. Despite Ben Church (10) soon departing, opener Brad Porteous (92) and Young (62) built what looked like a match-winning partnership of 134.

They were both bowled out in the space of five balls to leave Bath 182-4 with just over ten overs remaining. As wickets continued to tumble, and despite some lusty blows from some of the lower order, Bath fell agonisingly short as they were bowled out for 228 with one ball remaining.

Bath had narrowly progressed through the Somerset Major Cup last Thursday with a six run win at local rivals Lansdown. Bath opted to bat and Charlie Brain (41) and Hamish Bell (32) helped them to 130-9 from their 20 overs, while Tom Fogerty claimed 3-37 for Lansdown alongside a couple of wickets apiece for Josh Smith and Praneel Choughule.