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*

A disappointing display with the bat brought about a first defeat for
the season as Bagborough out played league leaders Timberscombe.

Electing to bat the visitors were soon in trouble and never really
recovered. Wickets fell at regular intervals as poor shot selection was
the order of the day. The only real highlight was Matt Bowden’ s straight drive with the bat on auto pilot. A late flurry from  Gary Archer was the only real
bright spot as Timberscombe ground out full batting points.

The home side set about their task with freedom with opener N Phillips
capitalising on any loose balls to make his runs. Despite two outstanding catches from Kev Godfrey and the skipper, the late flurry of
wickets came too late to change the outcome as Bagborough ran out easy
winners on the day.

Timberscombe 157 All out
G Archer 39
P Sparks 25
M Bowden 20
S White 4 for 42

Bagborough 159 for 5
N Phillips 54
I Nott 36

Bagborough 26 Points beat Timberscombe 7 Points by 5 Wkts

An impressive first wicket stand of 181 set up Timberscombe for a
comfortable win at Churchinford.

Winning the toss on a wicket that had taken overnight rain the
visitor’s batsmen made a cautious start. Their early patience was
rewarded, as once in, openers Nick Hill and Ben Bowman took control.
Hill was first to his half century, but once Bowman had caught him he
then accelerated rapidly. Moving smoothly from 50 to 70 in five balls.
The Churchinford bowlers battled manfully to stem the flow of runs with
successful Gabriel  the most successful with 3 wickets. Hill was out
for 77 in the 33rd over and Bowman in the resistance for an impressive
95. The innings finally closed on 240 for 4.

Wickets proved hard to come by for the Timberscombe bowlers as the
home side kept up with the required rate early on. Opening bowler Rob
Golding made the break through and then picked up a further two wickets
in his 12 over spell.
The hosts were struggling to keep in touch and the loss of key wickets
at key stages of the game proved costly. G Divers with 40 proved the
most stubborn in resistance. Once he fell the tail was exposed and upon
his return Gary Archer took full advantage. Archer ended up with 5 for
44 as Churchinford fell 89 runs short on 151 all out.

Timberscombe 240 for 4
B Bowman 95
N Hill 77
S Archer 24 no
M Gabriel 3 for 66

Churchinford 151 all out
G Divers 40
G Archer 5 for 44
R Golding 3 for 36

Timberscombe 26 Points beat Churchinford 7 Points by 89 Runs

Timberscombe came out on top following this top of the table clash.

Invited to bat the home side were soon in trouble at 20 for 2. A
steady partnership from captain Paul Sparks and veteran Bruce Lang
steadied the ship. This paved the way for the hard hitting middle order
to do their job. Firstly Kev Godfrey took the challenge to the visitors
and then the partnership of the match between Tom Sparks (24) and Steve
Archer (56no) carried the innings to a healthy 225 at the close. Stowey
were to rue some of their wayward bowling and fielding as extras
reached 50 off the last ball.

Straight from the off Timberscombe bowlers took control. Rob Golding
and Will Giblett both bowled well giving the visitors little to hit. At
half way they needed over 160 to win, and despite having wickets in
hand looked up against it.  It was the change bowlers who reaped the
rewards. Matchball sponsor: Ben Bowman Stoves and Chimneys Man of the
match Steve Archer rounded off a good afternoon taking 4 for 22. Change
partner Nick Virgin also took 4 wickets as the Stowey innings fell
away. Timberscombe ran out comfortable winners by 114 runs.

Timberscombe 133 All out
K Godfrey 26
S Archer 56 no
T Sparks 24
A Jeanes 3 for 71

Over Stowey 111 All Out
P Rich 33
S Archer 4 for 22
N Virgin 4 for 49

Timberscombe 26 Points beat Over Stowey 6 Points by 114 Runs

Timberscombe kept up their unbeaten record despite the efforts of
former player Keith Graddon to spoil their good start to the season.

Timberscombe elected to bat and were making good progress until a mix
up led to the run out of opener Nick Hill. On 86 for 1 all was looking
good for the visitors until the introduction of former Timberscombe and
Minehead bowler  Keith Graddon. A combination of poor umpiring, good bowling and poor
shot selection reduced the visitors total to 133 as Graddon took  an
impressive 8 for 21.

A frustrated Timberscombe took the field determined to apply early
pressure. It appeared not to be their day as edges found the boundary
and at one point, the ball hit the stumps leaving the bails dislodged,
balancing but not removed. All four bowlers used worked hard. Rob
Golding proved to be the match winner with 5 for 29 from his allotted
overs. Ably supported by Kev Godfrey with 3 for 22. The home side
eventually lost their last wicket 57 runs short of the required total.

Timberscombe 133 All out
N Hill 28
S Archer 29
K Graddon 8 for 21

TCSRO 76 All Out
A Ellicott 31
R Golding 5 for 29

Timberscombe 25 Points beat TCSRO 6 Points by 57 Runs

Despite morning rain a covered wicket allowed this game to go ahead.
With light rain always likely, a 30 over game was the sensible option.

Winning the toss Taunton chose to bowl. This appeared a good choice as
the home side were restricted to 40 for 1 in the first 10 overs.
Timberscombe’s batsmen were then able to pick up the pace of the dry
and lively wicket. In form opener Nick Hill (22) and skipper Paul
Sparks picked up the pace and when Hill was run out, the hard hitting
Kev Godfrey came to the crease. After taking a little time to adjust to
conditions ( and after a quiet word from the skipper following a maiden) Godfrey then set about the Taunton bowling. Six fours and
three sixes later Godfrey had completed his half century before finally
being bowled for 55. In the meantime Sparks had ably supported him
finishing on an unbeaten 63. The home side closed their innings on a
challenging 178 for 5.

Taunton found the going tough as they started their reply. The
dismissal of the dangerous Masters and Hunt early on were crucial in
allowing Timberscombe to take control of the game. All the home side’s
bowlers contributed with Matchball sponsor: Ben Bowman Stove and
Chimney Specialist, Man of the Match Gary Archer taking pride of place
with his impressive return of 5 for 30. Nigel Preston (31) and Mel Gale
(45 no) were the pick of Taunton’s batsmen offering dogged resitence.
Taunton closed on 110 for 7, way short of there target.

Timberscombe 178 for 5
Paul Sparks 63 no
Kev Godfrey 55

Taunton A 110 for 7
Mel Gale 41 no
G Archer 5 for 30

Hinkley Point Cup

Timberscombe completed a convincing 58 run win against a capable
Churchinford side.
Batting first the home side posted a handy 121 for 5 in their 18
overs. Opener Nick Hill smashed  a hard hit 61 from 50 balls.

Churchinford made a steady reply but were torn apart by the spin of
Nick Virgin who took 5 for 18 in his 5 overs. All the more impressive
as his first ball went for six and two others in the spell were hit for
4. Only openers Scott (21) and Roberts (21) posted double figures for
the visitors.