Ben Cunliffe keeps thirds promotion hopes alive

Match report by Ben Cunliffe

Bedminster third XI won a must win game, against promotion rivals PR Royals, as they successfully chased 167 with one wicket in hand after slipping to 40-5.

As he flicked the coin in the air, Bedminster Skipper Harry Pleass was picturing an afternoon full of runs, after he would win the toss and bat. Typically he lost and was sent in to bowl.

Regular first change bowler, Andy Sheldrake was given a go with the new cherry and it started well, with his first ball being smashed over mid-on, as PR royals openers looked to attack. The opposition didn’t fancy quite as much the extra pace of John House, who was bowling from the other end. Although the first wicket fell as Sheldrake shocked the opener with his quicker ball and bowled him. He quickly followed that up with another, as PR Royals number three was caught by Shazil But on the cow corner boundary. With House building pressure at the other end, the PR Royals were frustrated and began to throw the bat. The result was a worldie of a catch from Cunliffe to dismiss the number four cheaply and leave Sheldrake with fine figures of 3 for 34.

Harry Drissell replaced House and managed to trap the opener Khan lbw for 45. He then followed this up with another wicket as Jeev, took a catch almost as good as Cunliffe’s, much to Driss’ delight. Shazil Butt and Adam Mawer then bowled well in tandem, and the two even combined for a wicket, with Adam taking a catch off Shaz’s bowling. Mawer bowling down the hill was on the money and he bowled PR Royals’ skipper for 43. A few overs later, star fielder Cunliffe created a wicket through excellent fielding which confused the batsmen’s running and resulted in a runout #Gun. Shazil Butt (2-37) finished his spell by taking another wicket, bowled this time, before John house returned to clean up the number 11 with his first ball back and restrict PR Royals for 167 all out.

Lee Shorney and Ben Cunliffe opened Bedminster’s innings. Shorney opened his account with his usual style as he smashed boundaries and looked to finish the game quickly. Ben was knocking it around at the other end but then unfortunately Shorney was bowled for 17. Jon Jones walked in at number 3 but was soon bowled for 1. With Bedminster’s two key batsmen out, things went from bad to worse as they collapsed to 40 for 5, with a procession of wickets; Kruz chopping on for 2, Jeev (8) nicking off and Harry Drissell caught behind for a globe. At this point the win and promotion hopes were slipping away.

The skipper came in with the hopes of building a partnership with Ben Cunliffe, to try repair the damage the opener had only been able to watch unfold at the other end. Pleass was proactive and smashed a six early on in his innings. The pair began to put pressure back on the opposition as they ran well between the wickets and crucially stopped the flow of wickets. Supporters were daring to dream of a turnaround, when Harry was caught behind for an important 22 as the team were now 90-6.

Adam Mawer then joined Cunliffe at the crease and raised the run rate immediately as he launched a six. They built well together, knocking the ones and twos about and keeping up with the rate. With the required rate now hovering around 6 going into the final 10 overs, it was going to be a close game. Cunliffe, who had played a patient innings, remaining calm whilst wickets tumbled at the other end, began to open his shoulders and smashed a 6 straight over the bowlers head #gun. Ben was unselfishly out caught going for another big shot for 48.

With the win in sight, John House came in and played a gem of an innings, which finished with him smashing 2 huge sixes to tie the scores. The mansion (Big House) was then bowled for 24 going for another six. Shazil Butt then lasted one ball, lbw for 0, and the hat-trick was on to steal a tie. Andy Sheldrake came in and saves the day with a glamourous four #therealgun. Credit must also go to Adam for a very good innings of 23 not out.

Bedminster for the second week in a row, won a game they should have lost. This was a fantastic performance by the team. The thirds are now in a strong positon for promotion, two points behind first placed Winterbourne and 10 clear of third placed Bath. Next week’s game against Patchway is an opportunity to steal the top spot.

See the match scorecard on play cricket.