Five from Five and Rampant Russell helps move Bedminster to 5th

Missing three key players serving suspensions a younger looking Bedminster hosted Downend at The Clanage. After the rain in the previous 24 hours, which sneeked under the covers, the start of the game was delayed and the match was reduced to 40 overs.
Having won the toss Downend had no hesitation in asking the host to bat.

The game started in bizarre fashion when day dreaming Mark Barnes (1) was given run-out off a no-ball by the square leg umpire, without attempting a run, but wandered out of his crease, as keeper Patrick Grieshaber who was standing back to the pace of Craig Miles threw it back and hit the player which then rolled onto his stumps. Following this Bedminster were quickly reduced to 34 for 6 inside 16 overs. Richard Sillars offered a glimmer of hope with 19, mainly in boundaries, until he was bowled by Callum Gregory and the home side were now 47-7 just an over after the drinks break.

Under 15 Joe Millard was joined by George Russell and the pair put on a vital 74 run partnership, putting a dent in the traveling Downend supporters spirits as well as a dent in one of their cars, before Millard (20) was ran out by Callum Loud attempting a second run. George Russell completed a crucial maiden half century for the first team before he was bowled by Matthew Jackson for 57, still Bedminster were still short of a batting point with the final wicket and four overs remaining. Alfie Jacques (1) was bowled by Oliver Curril leaving Jack Gibbs (1 not out) and Bedminster 129 all out but picked up the point.

As in the away fixture Duckworth Lewis & Stern was in play just in case of further rain fell. Gibbs and Sillars removed both openers in consecutive overs, Greishaber (4) bowled and Loud (5) caught by keeper Jacques. Gibbs also bowled Nathan Roberts (3) and Downend were 20-3 in the eighth over. Left handed pairing of Reynolds-Pringle and Brandon Gilmour (21) added 45 runs until the later was stumped by Jacques off Tom Smith off the final delivery of the 17th over.

Reynolds-Pringle (23) was bowled by Smith and Downend were now 81-5 behind the DLS par score. Stand in skipper Smith would not allow the visitors to settle making bowling changes every over. Each time Downend added a run they lost a wicket, Gibbs (7-1-21-3) bowled Penn, Curril lbw to Smith, Matthew Jackson bowled by Sillars it was now 84-8 at the start of the 28 over and the game had now turned in the hosts favour.

Craig Miles (13) and Phil Jackson temporarily stopped the collapse until Miles was also bowled by Sillars (8-3-24-3). Forty runs were needed with ten overs left but crucially one wicket remained. Bedminster got the final wicket with Smith (7.3-1-14-4) trapping Phil Jackson (13) LBW and the host had picked up two bonus points for bowling out the opposition for 113.

With only one other game in WEPL Prem 1 completed, the remainder abandoned or cancelled the win moves Bedminster into a mid-table fifth position. Next week Bedminster travel to Bridgwater who are just four points and one place below them.