U'15s beat Hanham and the rain as they reach another final

Bedminster under 15's scored 95 on a damp pitch, before restricting hosts Hanham to 76 for 9 on a drizzly evening.

Bedminster fought past both their opposition and the weather to book their place in the final of the BYCL Knockout Cup.

With the hosts chasing only 95 in the second innings, Bedminster knew they had to bowl well to win the game. Openers Harry Drissell and Bailey Peacock bowled a probing line and length to gain movement on what was a difficult pitch for batting and were rewarded by three quick top order wickets. This was despite Hanham's captain James Davis being dropped at mid off in the second over. It seemed like a key moment in the game, as Davis hit powerfully down the ground and sweetly through cover as he kept Hanham up with the required rate, even though he was struggling for support from the other end, where wickets fell regularly. In the 11th over drizzle became rain and stopped play, as umpires and coaches scrambled to work out if a result could be awarded without completing the full game. Fortunately play resumed quicker than expected, and with it the breakthrough came, as Davis picked out long off from the bowling of Shazil Butt. With Davis' wicket went Hanhams hopes of victory as Bedminster turned the screw and rushed through their overs to complete victory and book their place in Sunday's final.

Earlier in the evening, Bedminster skipper Joe Millard won the toss and elected to bat. He may have been regretting his decision after 10 overs, when only 30 runs had been scored without loss. However, the score did not portray the movement on offer for the bowlers from a sticky wicket as well as the inconsistent bounce. Millard played a mature innings to tough out 48 runs and was well supported by the ever dependable Lewis Shean (16). After both men were out, there were a couple of cheap wickets before Bailey Peacock (12 not out) and Shazil Butt (10 not out) steadied the ship and ran excellently between the wickets to guide Bedminster to 95 off their twenty overs, which would later prove to be a winning score.

Joe Millard was named man of the match for his innings of 48.

Bedminster will play Downend in the final on Sunday. This will be their last match of the season and a great opportunity to win a third trophy for the club.

See the match scorecard on play cricket.