ALMONDSBURY 1st XV climbed to second place in Bristol and District First Division after a thoroughly convincing win over Lansdown 2nd XI on Saturday.

Batting first, Almondsbury soon lost Dan Dont for a duck, before Andy Parkinson (40) and Mike Perham (37) steadied the innings.

Aaron Jones and Liam Hartigan then entered the fray and set a daunting total of 237-7 on a pitch that was initially helpful towards the bowlers.

Jones scored a swash buckling 68 with Liam Hartigan making 42. Mancini 1-31, Dunning 1-35, Avery 1-28 and Mike Jones 1-52 claimed wickets for Lansdown though James Dunning with 9-2-36-3 bowled with control throughout.

In reply, the visitors started well as Dan Veal scored a fine 56 but despite some poor catching from the home side, the result was never in doubt as Almondsbury ran out victors by 75 runs.

The bowling honours were shared throughout as Jones claimed 2-40, Liam Hartigan 2-26, Chet Persaud 1-28, Parkinson 1-34 and skipper Garth Jackson 3-16.

lDue to a number of late withdrawals, Almondsbury travelled to their away game with only eight players. However, they dismissed the home side for 137 with some fine bowling.

Souvik Saha 9-2-24-2, Jonathon Trumble 9-1-36-3, and Elliot Cooper claiming 8-1-45-1 but Matt Smith was singled out for some fine spin bowling claiming 9-3-22-4.

In reply, four of the Almondsbury side fell for ducks and were eventually all out for 100. Kulvinder Sappal top scoring with 36 as the Almonds fell 37 runs short.