Timberscombe v Ian Buchanan’s XI 11th May 2008
Friendly Timberscombe v Minehead 14 May 2008
Over 400 runs were scored in an excellent game of cricket played in scorching conditions at Timberscombe with Minehead’s Brian Hamblin bludgeoning 100 runs to set a very competitive total of 219 to win off 40 overs. Timbersombe came close but could only muster 190 for 8 and had to settle for a losing draw. Timberscombe were two players short and Minehead’s captain Ian Buchanan sportingly loaned out all rounders Martin & Drakely to balance the sides. Timberscombe started brightly with Bradley Martin cheaply dismissing the top order of Bowditch and capt Buchanan the latter thanks to a champagne moment from stand in wicket keeper Jez Dibble who made a full length dive to catch the edge. Drakely was also in the action catching Snell off the bowling of Bulpin and Minehead were reeling with three down within four overs. This brought Minehead’s hero Hambin to the crease and with the support of B Rawle (28) and T Cottrell (29 no) Minehead recovered well. Summersgill & Perkins bowled 18 overs in the heat and managed to slow the run rate. Although it was Hamblin’s day as after surviving a couple of tight lbw decisions early on from the bowling of Summergill & Perkins and a couple of very hard caught and bowled chances from Abbot & Perkins he road his luck and after being dropped by Bulpin again from the bowling of luckless Perkins he retired exhausted on 100 runs after running a 3 to add to his 2 sixes and 12 fours. Timberscombe – Bradley Martin 10 overs 52 runs 5 wickets Minehead – Brian Hamblin 100 (ret) In response Timberscombe needed nearly a run a ball and opener Nevada cracked two boubndaries before being bowled trying playing an agricultural shot towards Dunkery Beacon. Dearey opened the bowling and kept it tight will only 9 runs coming off 6 overs for one wicket. Following the unnessarry run out of opener Dibble (who appeared to be still thinking of his earlier champagne moment) came the best partnership of the game with Jason Abbot 74 off 65 balls and Matt Drakely 43 off 53 balls. Both played beautifully with an array of shots to all parts of the ground. Minehead showed their bowling strength by using all ten players but just as Timberscombe sensed victory on came Snell to bowl both Abbot & Drakely in quick succession. Bradley Martin kept the game alive with an amusing 25 off 19 but Ali Lang like his father Bruce found it difficult to score and only amassed 3 runs off the last 7 overs and Timberscombe had to settle for the losing draw. Minehead -Snell 4 overs 15 runs 2 wickets Timberscombe – Abbot 74 & Drakely 43