Bath drown Bedminster

Bedminster third XI's league season stalled, as they lost a game they should have won, losing their last 7 wickets for 50 runs as they were unable to chase 233 against Bath.

Bath fourth XI won the toss and elected to bat, as skipper Harry Pleass lost his first toss of the season. Bailey Peacock and Shazil Butt opened the bowling for Bedminster, as Bath's opening batsmen played in contrasting styles with Clarke dominating the scoring, bringing up his fifty within ten overs whilst Alex struggled to score in the face of accurate bowling. Pressure began to mount on Alex before he was caught at midwicket by Lee Shorney, trying to take the aggressive option off the bowling of Shaz. After waiting a while for the first wicket, Bedminster's bowlers chipped away at their opposition taking wickets regularly. Andy Sheldrake, bowling in the middle overs, rather than opening the bowling, was the pick of the bowling taking 2-32 off 9 overs, including an excellent diving catch off his own bowling. Bath's innings ebbed and flowed with neither bat nor ball taking the ascendency as they edged their way to 232-9 off 45 overs.

In reply the third XI's openers, set their stall out to bat time and keep wickets in hand against accurate bowling from Bath. The highlight of a sedate first half of the innings was a straight six from Purvin Shah as he advanced down the wicket. Shortly afterwards, Shah attempting to hit out skied a lofted shot and was caught. Joe Shean came in at number three and was bowled by an outswinger from Kerr. This reunited John Jones and Simon Roche, who had previously opened together, as the pair shared a handy partnership to take Bedminster to drinks. With the required rate touching 7, Jones looked to bring the chase under control hitting a number of boundaries before being caught for 39 going for another. Lee Shorney swaggered in at number 5 and was quickly into his work, hitting 3 sixes in one over which appeared to have swung the game the third's way. With 12 overs to go, Bedminster required six an over with 7 wickets in hand with Roche and Shorney at the crease. Roche who had played a trottesque innings, without the class or excitement, was caught at short third man attempting to hit out. This sparked a collapse, with the run rate spiralling Bedminster lost their final 7 wickets for less than 50 runs with numbers 7,8 & 9 all registering ducks. Bedminster's last hope of victory were dashed when Lee Shorney was caught on the long on boundary by a diving catch, before the match was officially ended as Thiann Aspelling bowled Shazil Butt to finish with a 5 wicket haul.

Despite the loss Bedminster are third in the league and will look to get back to winning ways, as they take on PR Royal 1st XI next Saturday.

See the match scorecard on play cricket.