Bedminster taught a lesson by the Academy

The day did not start well for Bedminster as Tom Pugsley pulled his hamstring in the warm up meaning 2017 skipper James Carter, who himself was struggling for fitness, raced home to get his kit. Having been put into bat the Academy starting well until the introduction of Sam Knapp (10-2-50-2) who produced a double wicket maiden having both Jordon Garrett (18) and Benny Ellis (0) caught by keeper Garreth Elphick with the score on 37. Dan Lezar and Kieran Chakraborty (21) put on a 51 run partnership before the later was caught and bowled by Sai Kamuni, who then bowled Lezar (45) in his next over. This brought Bedminsters George Drissell (9) to the crease but he was trapped LBW by Max Tryfonos (5-1-32-2) who picked up another wicket as Calum Burnstone (1) edged one to the juggling Elphick. Jordan (1) was run out from a direct hit by Kumani and Jack Gibbs (2) was caught by Knapp off Kamuni (10-0-41-3) leaving the Academy on 142-8 with 18 overs remaining. However rather than collapse a discipline and controlled partnership of 129 between the patient Ellis Whiteford (55 off 88 balls) and George Pritchard (66 off 53 balls) seen the Academy to 271-8 from their 50 overs.

Bedminsters reply started strongly before Elphick (17) was caught behind by Burnstone off the bowling off Jack Gibbs, who is joining Bedminster this season. With Kumani looking in dominent form he was joined by Tryfonos (11) and the pair reached 113 before Drissell got his revenge bowling Tryfonos trying to scoop him around the corner. Rob Cunliffe (2) , & Richard Sillars (0) were both bowled by Gibbs (10-1-38-2) and Whiteford (6-0-34-1) respectively. A further 86 run partnership between Kumani and George Russell kept the home side in pole position until Lezar caught Kumani for 128 (off only 113 balls) off Jordan with the score on 223-5 from 39.2 overs.Ben Cunliffe was run out without facing and Drissell (7.5-0-19-4) delighted in mopping up the tail as Bedminster collapsed to 233 all out as Russell was left without any partners on an impressive 39 not out.

Next week Bedminster will make their debut in WEPL Prem 1 away to Lechlade who were also promoted into the top flight.