Bristol and District League

Senior Division

Hanham 1sts 164 all out lost to Old Down 1sts 165-7 by three wickets

OLD DOWN remain unbeaten in the Bristol and District Senior Divison this season but had to fight their way back into the match after a mini collapse against Hanham.

However, the result means they lie in second place.

Several of Hanham’s batsmen made good starts when they were put into bat though nobody went on to dominate.

David Boffin’s 48 was useful as was opening batsman Nigel Paget’s 40.

Otherwise only Harry Owens managed to chip in with 26 not out before Hanham struggled on to 164 all out.

And, for the second successive week, it was Old Down’s spin-twins who were their main threat in the quest for wickets.

Jordan Rouse led the rout with 12 overs, 4-57, with Raj Verma bowling 12 overs, 2-43. Youngster Josh Riggs, showed his promise in taking 1-10 from three overs.

Old Down’s reply was decent enough, with opener George Williams notching 28 runs, but a mid-innings collapse left Old Down facing disaster at 74-7 in the 25th over.

But cometh the hour, cometh the men. Skipper, Greg Welsher and number nine Dave Dinely set about the recovery, snatching what had become an unlikely victory without further loss.

Dinely’s supporting 26 not out was crucial, but Welsher’s swash-buckling 64 not out was a match winner and included, unsurprisingly, eight fours and two sixes.

Old Down 2nds v Cleeve 2nds

OLD Down’s batsmen looked uncertain and regular dismissals prevented partnerships from developing in their clash with Cleeve.

As if that was not enough, running between the wickets was very hesitant. In fact the best likely partnership between Alex Grosvenor and Stuart Bushall came to a sticky end, with the most baffling and embarrassing yes/no interlude seen for a while.

The result of course, was the premature departure of Grosvenor for 25, after a promising start to his innings. Bushall at least hung around awhile, before his demise for 22.

Only Dave Lippiatt’s lusty lashings for 27, including one scorching six over long-on, briefly raised hopes before Old Down were shot out for only 87.

That their innings included five ducks, one of which was a golden duck, was indicative of the problem.

Cleeve’s bowling was adequate, with Barnes taking 1-23, Elswood 2-24, Hance 3-19 and Parsons 3-17.

Cleeve’s reply was withering, as they reached 90-3 in short order, with Elswood on 39 not out.

For Old Down, Jake Lansdown bowled a tidy spell of seven overs for 25, but remained wicketless.

He was supported by Simon Higgs (1-19), who also took a decent catch from the deep, while there was a first ball wicket for Aaron Holman from his one and only over.