Thirds beat bath in top of the table clash

Bedminster beat hosts Bath by 23 runs as an all-round bowling display restricted Bath to 165-9, after Simon Roche’s hard fought 70 guided Bedminster to 188.

At the final drinks break of the game, halfway through Baths pursuit of 188, the hosts seemed in control at 95-1. The sole wicket being a beauty from Bailey Peacock, which burst through the openers defenses in the innings third over. Peacock bowled a probing and economical opening spell, whilst leading the attack for the first time this year. Bedminster had done well to keep it tight to this point and to not let the hosts and league leaders run away with the game. A neutral observer would have felt that Bath had been biding their time and would soon accelerate to get ahead of the rate and time the chase nicely.

After drinks, off-spinner Kishan Patel was thrown the ball and he broke the game wide open. Bowling wide of off stump he threatened both edges of the bat and quickly had Bath's captain and best batsmen out lbw. He struck twice more in a six over spell, which cost only 11 runs and left Bath to needing nearly seven an over from the final ten overs. This was another step in an excellent first season at the club for Kish, who has taken 20 wickets at 13.45, in addition to scoring over 150 runs. He was well supported by Bailey Peacock (1-17) and Harry Drissell (0-35), both finishing their spells at the other end. The pair bowled accurately and built pressure, which proved too much for the opposition. Shazil Butt and debutant Charlie Clarke then killed the game off to finish with 2-38 and 1-31 respectively, as Bath had folded from 95-1 to 165-9.

Earlier in the day, Bedminster were sent into bat on a green looking pitch and drying outfield. Several showers interrupted play, as the players and covers came on and off a couple of times each. In tough conditions for batting, Simon Roche compiled 70 in his usual style, leaving well, defending the good ball and occasionally piercing the offside field with square drives and gliding wider deliveries down to third man. It was an innings much like insurance or a seat belt, in that you would appreciate it more in its absence. Chris Giles (21) and Ahsaan Butt (22) were the only other men to pass twenty, as Bedminster were bowled out in the 45th over for 188, which proved more than enough for Bedminster’s bowlers.

This was an excellent victory for the thirds, who remain in the hunt for promotion and potentially the title. It is currently a four horse race, with Bath on 312 points and Bedminster, PR Royals and Winterbourne all on 302 points.

Next week’s match against PR Royals at home is huge opportunity for Bedminster to progress their campaign.

See the match scorecard on play cricket.