WINTERBOURNE seconds just failed by the merest of margins to wrestle the title from their opponents Bedminster. Due to an internal club dispute, Bedminster sent their thirds to fulfil the fixture and very nearly relinquished the title. They put up a stubborn performance with the bat, seeking to lose as few wickets as possible.

Try as they might the hosts, sporting impressive bowling figures with 15 of the 45 overs being maidens, could not remove the opposing batsmen.

Despite knocking off the runs required in under 17 overs, under-15 George Ford unbeaten on 51 with Adie Taverner 39 not out, Winterbourne failed by 0.11 to overhaul Bedminster at the top.

Bristol & Somerset Division 1st XI Bedminster (229-5) beat Winterbourne (190) by 39 runs

A century partnership by Navin Nayak and Mike Muston wasn’t enough to give relegated Winterbourne victory.

The home side had first use of the track and by the tenth over they were scoring at over six an over.

In the 20th over Jack Dempsey induced a false drive from ex-Winterbourne player Garreth Elphick (37), Paul Tovey taking the catch at extra cover.

Qamar Waraich (42) was the next to fall going for a pull shot off Nayak, and skying to Andrew Blowers moving from mid wicket.

Lee Shorney (0) was bowled by Dempsey to leave Bedminster on 100-3 after 30 overs.

Ex-Gloucestershire all-rounder Rob Cunliffe enjoyed a century partnership with Toheed Hamid.

It took a stunning steepling catch at deep backward square leg by Mike Muston off Adam Moore to get rid of Cunliffe (68). Hamid fell two short of a fifty when Muston’s return from the boundary found him well short.

Dempsey (2-44) was Winterbourne’s most successful bowler.

The response floundered early as Keith Ford was caught behind by Elphick without scoring off youngster Sam Knapp.

Pat Bailey then had Dempsey (14) stumped just as the batsmen’s innings was starting to flourish.

Opener Tovey’s knock ended when he drove upishly at a delivery from home skipper from James Carter which Waraich held.

Nayak and Muston took the total past 100 in the 27th over and it seemed an unlikely victory was on the cards. Nayak reached a classy half-century off 63 balls with a huge six off Knapp before he played on to the same bowler for 63, the pair having added 106.

Muston (44) perished three runs later. Wicketkeeper Sam Bracey (5) then fell to Knapp, caught by Cunliffe.

Elphick removed James Williams for 0, followed by Blowers who had contributed a breezy 18.

Knapp gained his five-wicket haul, accounting for Matt Crane (4).

Moore (17) was snared by Merlin Goldman at long-on to see the hosts home and dry by 39 runs.

Winterbourne now look ahead to their centenary season in the Bristol & North Somerset Division.

Adams Exhibitions Ltd Bristol District Second XI League Division Three Blagdon II (173-6) beat Winterbourne ‘A’ (137) by 36 runs

Winterbourne A succumbed for only the second time this season against Blagdon’s second string. Batting first, keeper Roger Hemming led from the front with 66, with fellow opener Simon Westbrook notching up 30.

The wickets were shared between each of the bowlers, Mike Norman the only one to take a pair. Bearing in mind previous batting performances, this total was well within the capabilities of the A’s.

Apart from 44 from Rob Nakielny and 28 from Greg White, this was a below par effort and resulted in a loss by 36 runs. Haydon Lyons claimed 5-12 from seven overs with Andy Cadman picking up 4-41.

This loss should not detract from the overall excellent season, with major contributions from the younger members of the side which bodes well for the future.

Congratulations goes to skipper Steve Wilkins and the team on winning the Championship honours.

Bristol District ‘A’ XI League - Division Two Bitton A (65) lost to Winterbourne ‘B’ XI (69-3) by seven wickets

The B team maintained their 100% unbeaten record as they took the ‘A’ XI Division II title at a canter.

The team had the reliable Bob Vickery and emerging star Dominic Lusmore to thank for the victory, each taking three wickets to skittle ten-man Bitton out for just 65.

Vickery has taken 18 wickets this term at an average of 9.72. His son Dan also picked up a wicket opening the bowling with him, before two from Barry Stephens’ only over left the visitors shy of a defendable total.

Nick Bracey’s 22 steered the team to victory inside 21 overs to register a comfortable victory. They will look forward to pitting their skills in the top ‘A’ XI Division next season.