FIRST XI MATCH REPORT - SATURDAY 28TH MAY VS BATH 2s (H)

Having been beaten convincingly and narrowly over the past few weeks against local rivals Knowle and Keynsham respectively I thought my match reporting days might be over. Last week was hard to stomach as a great bowling/fielding performance lead us close to victory after posting a low score (150). This week it was so important for us to bounce back against a Bath 2s side that had been relegated from the league above last year.

Over the years, we have boasted an impressive record against Bath 2s, even when they had won the league and had been finishing above us, we had played some of our best cricket against the boys from North Parade. On Saturday, Rhys lost the toss and I managed to avoid saying it was a ‘good one to lose’ because last time I did Knowle posted 330. The start to the game was exactly what we had needed with James Riley and Josh Whitemore taking a wicket apiece to leave them 2-2 from 5 overs. Josh’s first of the day must be in consideration for ball of the season, swinging the ball away to the right hander, flicking the top of the off stump at pace. Immediately, Bath’s number 4 Beaumont looked to play positively, driving the ball well on both sides of the wicket, putting the pressure back on our lads. The introduction of Chris Munden removed Bath skipper Moseley (17) but not before they had managed to put on 50 in a run a ball for the 3rd wicket partnership. As they continued to score, Rhys rotated his bowlers to try and take the key wicket of Beaumont. After sweeping his way to fifty, it was up to Cam George to try and limit the flow of runs. He did just that, building the pressure and with help of the juggling Munden, he took the wicket of Beaumont (70). At that stage Bath found themselves 133-4 but with plenty of time in their innings to reach a competitive score. It was again Chris Bolton, who bowled so impressively last week, providing the breakthrough taking 2 wickets in quick succession. The seventh wicket partnership between Allen and Cadywould threatened to take Bath to a par score, before returning bowler Milo Ayres took both wickets, one of which being a smart catch taken at long on by Chris Bolton. This left Bath at 187-8 and it was time for Josh Whitemore to do some sweeping up of the tail - no wonder that he got all those wickets last year (bully). To limit Bath to 197 all out a great effort from the boys, the fielding wasn’t at the same level of the week before, but the key was taking wickets at the right times.

In reply, it was a nervy start for me, as Cadywould bowled some nice areas around the off stump. However, Charlie Brain had no issues nullifying the swinging ball, cover driving a few early boundaries with the upmost grace. The pitch had improved in the second half, the ball was being taken by the bath keeper above his head, as some tight bowling and disciplined batting took us to 50-0 from 11 overs. The spin of Beaumont made life difficult as Charlie and myself worked singles off the pads into the leg side but couldn’t see many boundary options. We continued to build the opening partnership, and not without a bit of luck, I started to play more fluently, driving through extra cover for four to take me to 50. Charlie seemed to be stuck on 49 for a while and with the pressure of playing against his former club seemingly building, he stroked the ball out to deep cover in textbook style. After being 100-0 at the drinks break, we both started to play more positively, helped by some indifferent fielding from the Bath side. As I snicked off for 77, Brainer was in a hurry to finish the game, pulling the opening bowler for 6. He eventually finished on 89 not out, showing a lot of heart to lead us to a 9-wicket victory against his former team.

It was the win that we needed, in a style that we wanted.

Captains thoughts: