Thirds too strong for Pucklechurch

Bedminster 3rd XI beat Pucklechurch 1st XI by nine wickets, on a grey and drizzly day at the Clanage.

An experienced 3rd XI delivered one of their most comprehensive victories of the season as John House starred with the ball by taking four wickets as he blew away Pucklechurch’s top order, after skipper Harry Pleass won the toss and elected to field.

House bowled with pace and extracted bounce from the surface, with the surprise full ball used to take the wicket. He was certainly supported by his slip fielders, with a diving Tom Rothero plucking a ball that had gone past him, to take an exceptional catch and make the first breakthrough. The very next ball, Lee Shorney took another screamer as he dove forward and one handedly snatched a ball to his right. House was unable to complete the hat trick, however he got two more wickets to finish with 4-31 and tear the heart out of Pucklechurch’s batting. Before the game House, who had previously played for the 2nd XI for the majority of the season, bemoaned the number of chances he’d had dropped off his bowling and commented that he hoped the threes could catch. He was well supported by his opening partner Andy Sheldrake (1-28) who was metronomic as ever to put pressure on the batsmen.

After the dramatic opening salvos, Bedminster’s bowlers stuck at their task and took wickets regularly, with John Brain, Adam Mawer, Nazrul Kadir all taking a wicket a piece, before Tom Rothero picked up two wickets to finish the innings off. After 5 wickets had fallen before drinks, Pucklechurch did well to get to 199, however it always seemed short of par on what was a very good batting track.

In reply Bedminster’s new opening pair Lee Shorney and Simon Roche put on their second hundred partnership in two weeks, despite persistent drizzle. As always, Shorney was quick to take the bowling on as he hit 3 sixes in his innings, whilst Roche batted in his usual sensible manner despite at times appearing more preoccupied with getting mud off the pitch than batting. Shorney was first to his half century, but Roche followed the next over, reaching the milestone by swatting a full toss over mid-off for six. It appeared very little would disturb this partnership, until Shorney mistimed one and skied a ball to point. John Jones then joined Roche and picked up where Shorney had left off, as he raced to a boundary laden 36, before being bowled with victory in sight. Roche, who it has been suggested in past struggles to hit the ball off the square, surprised the crowd as he sealed the victory with a six over midwicket to finish on 81 not out.

This was a comprehensive victory and was the teams third win in a row which leaves Bedminster 3rd in the table, and in contention for both promotion and the title. Next week’s game against Winterbourne, will be vital to their chances for either.

See the match scorecard on play cricket.