Cricket: Almonds beaten in last-ball thriller (From Gazette Series)

Cricket: Almonds beaten in last-ball thriller

2:32pm Monday 18th August 2008 in

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Bristol and North Somerset 1st XI - Old Bristolians (139-7) beat Almondsbury (183 a.o) by 3 wickets on the D/L method.

ALMONDSBURY lost a thrilling contest on the last ball against Old Bristolians on Saturday.

Batting first, Almondsbury lost Craig Thompson (5), Greg Stephens (8) and Liam Hartigan (0) as they showed their usual frailty at the top of the order.

But makeshift opener Tom Armfield found a willing partner in Ross Wakely as the pair began to rebuild the innings.

Wakely eventually fell for 29, followed by Kyle Hartigan (5) and Tom Bradley (3). Armfield, in his search to build a good total, fell for an excellent 72. Paul Martin and Steve Braund both supplied cameos of 16 with Chris Pearce (1) being last out, leaving Phil Mortimore undefeated on six.

For Old B’s the bowling honours went to Greg Malkin 10.3-1-47-3, Will Penny 6-1-28-1, James Damone 4-1-24-2 and the evergreen Simon Hogg 12-0-50-4.

In reply, the weather intervened which was not to Almondsbury’s advantage.

Old B’s had a revised total of 138 off 34 overs.

The Almondsbury bowling attack began in good style as Chris Pearce removed Tom Parnell (0) caught behind by Paul Martin.

Des Makua (4) soon followed caught by Tom Armfield off the bowling of skipper Stephens.

The Old B’s total progressed steadily until the introduction of the prolific Steve Braund began to destabilise the home side.

He removed James Domone lbw for 10. James King, who was caught by Craig Thompson, went for 11.

Paul Snelling scored a useful 29 before he was bowled, and Rupert Swetman became Braund’s fourth wicket when he was caught by Greg Stephens for seven. Almondsbury strengthened their position, claiming their seventh wicket when James Innes was run out.

But the experienced Simon Hogg (22 not out) together with Will Penny (24 not out), saw the Old B’s side home off the last ball.

Chris Pearce (6-0-17-1) and Greg Stephens (9-4-14-1) took wickets for Almondsbury but once again Steve Braund shone with 10-2-40-4.