Timsbury stand tall as halfway point of campaign gets ever closer

With one game of the first half of the season to go, Timsbury stand top of Division One in the Bristol & District League.

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In a low-scoring encounter on a slow pitch dominated by the slow bowlers, Timsbury defeated visitors Hambrook by five wickets.

After electing to bat, Hambrook’s innings never got going. The inform Sam Hoddinott made the initial significant impact with 3-20 from his eight overs, before he was later well-supported by Martin Richards (3-24) and Jon Strand (3-28) as the visitors were dismissed for 97.

Any suggestion that Timsbury would coast to victory was soon put to bed as Hambrook’s spinner caused similar problems. A steady flow of wickets left the game tantalisingly poised at 67-5.

Not for the first time this season, the experience of Kev Sibley came to the fore at a vital stage. With crucial support from Cory Versfeld (18*), his undefeated 34 saw Timsbury over the line with more than ten overs to spare.

The second side are making a habit of being involved in nail-biting finishes, and they were at it again as they chased down 228 at Whitchurch 2nd to win by two wickets with just three balls remaining in this Division Six tie.

Whitchurch amassed 228-8 from their 40 overs, while Freddie Hosford led from the front with a fine 3-21 from eight tight overs. Ollie Hulbert also weighed in with three wickets.

In response, Timsbury lost two early wickets but a key partnership between Josh Tucker and Hosford got them back on track. Hosford’s positive day ended on 31, however Tucker continued his successful season with an excellent 88.

With great support from Sam Sparks (32), the visitors kept up the momentum and, in a thrilling finish, Hulbert's boundary in the final over completed the job.

An inexperienced third team were no match for a strong Lansdown 3rd and were beaten by 226 runs in Division Nine East. Williams (121) and Costello (60*) saw the home side set a challenging 276-4, with Oliver Mallon taking 2-59.