Bedminster Premier Win in Local Derby against Bristol

Having won the toss and chose to bat Bristol's James Bracey and Archibald Fellowes went to 54 without loss against Richard Sillars and Sam Knapp. A change both ends brought rewards as Kumani bowled Fellowes (17) on the final ball of his first over which was a wicket maiden. The continued pressure from both ends mounted as Alan Hunt (1) fell LBW to Russell after some consideration by the umpire and Bristol were now only 59-2 off 16 overs.

Bracey took control reaching his half century but with 16 year old Matt Brewer (4) struggling to find last weeks form, as he was bowled by George Drissell. Keeper Alfie Jaques was to keen to impress encroaching twice before the ball had passed the stumps and was punished by the umpire costing his team two no-balls. However he got his reward catching Jack Ellison (10) off Drissell, Bristol were now 106 for 4 in the 27th over.

Paul Redwood came to the crease and accelerated the run rate with Bracey who took a fancy to the left arm spin of his county colleague Tom Smith, hitting him over the fence twice. Bracey brought up his century with a four down to fine leg off Drissell who got his revenge shortly after trapping him in front for 106 (117 Balls) ending the 86 run partnership. Redwood (27) chipped one caught and bowled back to Smith the next over, Bristol were now 192 for 6 with 10 overs remaining.

Skipper William Rudge and Vir Lakhani continued to go at five an over. The economical Russell returned this time from the suspension bridge end and an immediate impact as Rudge (22) nicked to Jacques. With the light rain falling Russell found the hill to much to handle over stepping before bowling Richard Morrison twice but only off the free hit. Sillars picked up another bowling point as Lakhani (14) placed one into the hands of Cunliffe. Fifteen runs from the last over meant Bedminster would have to chase 250, the total they got last weekend to win.

Due to the rain the home scorer Belcher forwent his tea so the DLS calculations could be sorted only to find out he had not been given the updated version of this ever changing method, which resulted in the required scores at the end of each over being different. Upgrading the software thanks to his colleague, the umpires were keen to get the Bedminster innings underway, even though he had not finished printing the amended scores and missed a delivery.

Garreth Elphick (4) and Drissell (5) were both adjudged LBW from Rudge and Dan Jones respectively and Bedminster were two down for eleven inside three overs. The speed of the wickets falling caught Sillars off guard, and he was lucky not to be timed out as he went in before Kumani who was having a Brad Pitt.

At the same time Matthew Lee neglected his DLS duties to stalk his Gloucester adopted family, leaving a confused Sam Knapp to figure out the number system on the manual DLS board.

Sillars combined well with Smith (21) before Rudge once again got the finger raised by the umpire for another LBW. Kamuni was now ready to take his turn and with Sillars finding the boundaries, including two maximums, took his time to get his eye in, until the later was caught by Fellowes off Lakhani for 30. Bedminster were now 76 for 4 inside 16 overs.

Kamuni was increasing in confidence and his chainsaw calls for runs with partner Cunliffe were giving Bristol cause for thought and after the drinks break the pair started to get ahead of Bristol at similar stages of the game. Kumani half century came of 69 balls. It was in the 42nd over when Kamuni tried missed a switch hit and was bowled for 85 (107 balls) by Neil Pollard to end the 119 run partnership.

George Stephenson , whose only role up until now was acting like Bear Grylls scrambling under covers and climbing the new fence to retrieve the ball once it had breached the boundary, came to join Cunliffe. You might of thought Cunliffe, dropped on 46, would now take control after reaching his 50 (off 77 balls) but he continued to Basil his way around as Stephenson hit 21, including two fours and a six from his important 18 ball inning before Pollard ensured he became the sixth LBW of the game.

Bedminster now needed 9 runs off 16 with 4 wickets in hand. Russell (8 not out) was not taking any chances and finished the game with a six and eight balls to spare, to the elation of the home crowd who seen their side win their first game in WEPL Prem 1 as they approach the half way point.

The question is will Skipper Carter, who was showing his Koi at a fish show and Pugsley, parting at Glastonbury, be able to change the winning side which included the so far unmentioned Mark Barnes, who has been in a winning side all season.

Next Saturday Bedminster travel to Frocester who are also starting to find form hitting 385-6 to win against Lechlade. In the week Bedminster travel to Clevedon, who delayed the game planned for last Wednesday due to a clash in another 20 over cup competition.