League leaders Bath put Bedminster to the Sword

Table toppers Bath placed host to bottom of the table Bedminster at their picturesque North Parade ground and scored 326 for 5 before a tactical declaration on 44.5 overs with the hope of gaining 2 extra points.

Having won the toss and elected to bat Bath started well before George Russell made the initial breakthrough as skipper James Campbell was caught by George Drissell leaving them 36 for 1 in the sixth over. Upcoming county players put their rivalry aside as Somerset's Tim Rouse joined with Gloucesters George Hankins and made batting look easy both going past their personal half centuries as Bath passed the 200 mark in the 31st over. Hankins went onto reach his century (102 off 95 balls) hitting George Drissell for four, however the very next ball he hit one to Russell at deep mid on ending the 181 run partnership. Drissell caught another this time off Miles Hammond as Sam Mount fell for only eight.

This brought Thomas Hankins to the crease who was clearly told to swing his sword which he duly did scoring 40 off only 18 deliveries until he also fell into the clutches of Russell taking one low down coming in from the mid on boundary off Tom Pugsley. Harry Hankins replaced his Uncle but this was a brief eight run partnership as the experienced James Carter trapped Rouse LBW (89 off 93 balls) in the very next over. Harry Hankins and Greg Hay raced to 18 and 16 respectively before the skipper declared the Bath innings.

Bedminsters Garreth Elphick and Drissell also started positively with 55 from first nine overs. On came Simon Marchant and Thomas Hankins who slowed chase down with the former claiming the wicket of Elphick (36) caught by Paul Muchall, so now the scores were virtually level at 74-1 in the 14th over. Hammond took his time to get off the mark but when he did joined Drissell playing graceful shots for the expanding early evening crowd. With the score on 138 Marchant dismissed both Drissell (62) and Hammond (35) caught by Hay and Campbell respectively in the 28th over. Richard Sillars (5) was extremely unlucky to be run out as Kamuni played a straight drive which Rouse deflected onto the stumps. Sai Kamuni (37) looked to be enjoying his number four slot playing classy shots around the ground adding a further 52 runs in his partnership with Rob Cunliffe until he was caught by Campbell from Rouse.

Bedminster were now 196-5 in the 29th over, would another collapse be on the cards as Cunliffe (20) was bowled by Muchall ten runs later, certainly a win was looking unlikely. Tom Pugsley and Russell continue to play their shots before the returning Adam Kelly had Pugsley caught by Muchall for 14. Max Tryfonos was caught and bowled by Sam Mount, to get his hat trick of ducks in consecutive weeks, but Bedminster had now obtained maximum batting points for the first time this season. Russell (28 from 27) continues to impress this season and put George Hankins back over his head for six but he got his revenge dismissing him caught and bowled crucially picking up the ninth wicket. Mount bowled the last and despite a couple of chances Sam Knapp (3) and James Carter (0) blocked out the final over to finish on 250 for 9.

This meant Bath fell one short of maximum bowling points but picked up the bonus for the declaration thereby increasing their lead at the top of WEPL Prem 1. Next week Bedminster entertain local rivals Bristol who will make the short trip down the hill to the Clanage. On Tuesday Bedminster continue their 20 over Bristol & District cup run by face a tough task away to Clevedon.

Can you spot the Peregrine falcons nesting on the spire in the photo?