Timberscombe Cricket Club

Timberscombe continued there strong run with an 8 Wicket victory over
lowly Stoke St Gregory.

Winning the toss Timberscombe had no hesitation inviting their
visitors to bat. The inning never really picked up any momentum as ball
dominated bat. Opener Rob Golding was the pick of the bowlers as he
took an impressive 4 wickets from his 12 overs. Change bowler Kev
Godfrey also picked up 4 as Stoke crumbled to 63 all out. Harwood was
the only Stoke batsman to reach double figures.

A tricky 10 over spell before tea saw the home side reach 39 for the
loss of just one wicket. From there Kev Godfrey and Paul Sparks saw
Timberscombe home, with Godfrey losing his wicket with victory in
sight. The target was reached in the 16th over and an 8 wicket win was
secured.

Stoke St Gregory 63 All out
Rob Golding 4 for 34
Kev Godfrey 4 for 11

Timberscombe 64 for 2
Kev Godfrey 31
Paul Sparks 17 no

Timberscombe 26 Points beat Stoke St Gregory 1 Point by 8 Wickets

Timberscombe overcame struggling Trull Crusaders, powering to a 100
run victory and full points.

On a warm afternoon the visitors chose to bat and made light work of
the early overs. When the first wicket fell in the 12th over they had
moved smoothly to 63. Opener Nick Hill took his total to 43 leaving
Captain Paul Sparks to pick up the pace of the innings. When he was
dismissed for 46 the score had moved on to 163, and an imposing total
looked possible. Paul Keal then took over reaching 52 before being run
out. The innings finally closed on 241 for 7 following a late flurry of
wickets.

The home side were soon into their stride with some wayward early
bowling giving them plenty opportunity to score. The introduction of
Nick Virgin put a brake on scoring, and slow bowling partner Geoff
Dibble then started to pick up wickets. As Crusaders fell further and
further behind the required rate it was left to young leg spinner Tom
Sparks and the medium pace of Steve archer to finish off the job. As
both bowlers picked up 3 wickets only I Macdonald offered any real
resistence. He was last man out in the last over with the home side 100
runs short.

Timberscombe 241 for 7
Paul Keal 52
Paul Sparks 46
Nick Hill 43

Trull Crusaders 141 all out

I Macdonald 45
T Sparks 3 for 30
S Archer 3 for 15

Timberscombe 26 Points beat Trull Crusaders 7 Points by 100 Runs

Timberscombe got back to winning ways with victory over a determined
Asbrittle side.

Winning the toss, the visitors elected to bat on a firm wicket and
fast looking outfield. Tight early bowling from Rob Golding and Nick
Hill kept a rein on early scoring. 65 for 2 from the first 20 overs
left the game well balanced. The change bowling of Geoff Dibble and
Paul Keal  proved crucial in shaping the rest of the innings. Only the
hard hitting of Rob Sewell (46 no), and the dogged determination of
opener R Embleton (28) enabled the visitors to finally reach full
batting points. The innings closed on 158 for 6.

In reply the Timberscombe batsmen set about the chase sensibly. On a
wicket that offered the bowlers something all afternoon and an outfield
that rewarded the batsmen, the game always looked close. As the home
batsmen adjusted to their task they were gradually able to get on top.
Opener Nick Hill and Captain, Paul Sparks led the way. Hill was
dismissed for 47 as Sparks doggedly anchored the innings. As the game
entered the last 10 overs Timberscombe accelerated to finish the chase.
Paul Sparks ended on 65 unbeaten and Paul Keal took 25 off just 16
balls. Embleton was the pick of the Ashbrittle bowlers. The 15 Year
old’s 12 overs of spin always asked questions of the batsmen.

Ashbrittle 158 for 6
R Sewell 46 no
P Keal 2 for 31

Timberscombe 162 for 3
P Sparks 65 no
N Hill 47
P Keal 21 no

Timberscombe 24 Points beat Ashbrittle 6 Points by 7 wickets

Hinkley Point Cup Quarter Final

A convincing 8 wicket win on a damp evening at Timberscombe saw the home side cruise into the Semi-Final.

Bishop’s Hull came out all guns blazing but kept losing wickets all the way.A hat trick fom Nick Virgin in his second over ripped the heart out of the visitors middle order.All the bowlers had success as the Hull innings petered out to 73 All out.

An early scare, losing Ben Bowman to a shooter and the departure of Nick Hill to a big nick to the keeper left the chase in doubt. Skipper Paul Sparks and Kev Godfrey steadied the ship and finished the innings in style in the 10th over.

Bishop’s Hull 73 All Out

Nick Virgin 4-

Timberscombe 74 for 2

Kev Godfrey 33*

Paul Sparks 25*