Timberscombe Cricket Club

On a sunny and warm afternoon, Timberscombe’s decision to bat proved a
wise one.

Openers Nick Hill and Steve Archer made a steady and solid start
setting a firm base for the home side’s innings.
A quick flurry of three wickets brought a 75 run fourth wicket
partnership that proved decisive. Matchball Sponsors: The Lion at
Timberscombe had no problem selecting Paul Keal as Man of the match for
his unbeaten 79. He was ably assisted by the hard hitting Kev Godfrey
who hit 33 for the second week running. A Tetley with three wickets
and the luckless Paul Gardner, who was the pick of the Stoke bowlers,
worked long and hard in the heat. The innings closed on 207 for 5.

The Timberscombe bowlers set about their task from there on. All
contributed with wickets. Rob Golding’s early 7 over spell for only 9
runs set the tone of the innings. Opening partner Will Giblett picked
up a couple of wickets as the pressure to score runs built. Once again
spin pair Nick Virgin and Geoff Dibble took advantage of the excellent
conditions. Dibble took 2 whilst partner Virgin picked up 3. The
innings was finished in the 30th over with the last wicket falling on
83. Only M Walker with 26 really troubled the Timberscombe bowlers.

Timberscombe 207 for 5
Paul Keal 79 no
Kev Godfrey 33
A Tetley 3 for 53

Stoke St Mary 83 All out
Nick Virgin 3 for 20

Timberscombe 26 Points beat Stoke St Mary 3 Points by 114 Runs

Winning the toss, Timberscombe chose to bowl on a dry and lively
wicket. A tight and hostile spell by Gary Archer had the home batsmen
working hard for early runs. Fellow opener Kev Godfrey was the one to
benefit taking the first three wickets, with a combination of guile and nouse. The change bowlers then picked
up from there with spin pair Nick Virgin and Geoff Dibble both cashing
in. Gary Archer finally got just reward for his efforts over the past two games taking his first two wickets for the club. The Stoke inning finally came to an end as wickets fell at regular
intervals. Nick Virgin ended with the best return taking 4 for 20 from
his 8 overs.

After a jittery start to their innings, Timberscombe’s batsmen finally
settled to the task. Despite Nick Hill’ efforts to keep Stoke in the game by running out skipper Paul Sparks, and Geoff Dibble’s equally generous LBW decision against Nick, Paul Keal (18 no) and Kev Godfrey (33) carried the
innings forward as the runs required were knocked off with 15 overs to
spare.

Stoke St Gregory 84 All out

Extras top scored with 14
Nick Virgin 4 for 20

Timberscombe 85 for 4
Kev Godfrey 33

Timberscombe 25 Points beat Stoke St Gregory 3 Points by 6 Wkts

Timberscombe got off to a good start to their league season proving
too strong for a young Ashbrittle side as they dominated a game they
went on to win by 140 runs.

Asked to bat Timberscombe went about their innings cautiously on a
surface, wet from overnight rain. After 10 overs Timberscombe had
reached 33 for 2 with the loss of both openers. From here the innings
was transformed with Kev Godfrey leading the charge as the pace was
lifted. When he departed for 31 in the 22nd over the score had moved on
to 106. It was left to partner Paul Sparks to take over. With the
support of Tom Sparks (15) and Joe Shooter (28 not out) the innings
closed on 228 for 5 with Sparks on an unbeaten 113 off 119 balls.

Ashbrittle’s reply never really got going and though early wickets
were not lost , the required run rate was always climbing. In the 18th
over 3 wickets fell to Will Giblett who, with fellow opening bowler
Gary Archer, had kept things tight. The change bowlers kept the control
going with Steve Archer taking a further 3 wickets. Ashbrittle’s
innings then tailed off and ended on 88 for 8, with the final wicket
falling off the last ball of the 40 overs.

Timberscombe 228 for 5
Paul  Sparks 113 not out
Kev Godfrey 31
Joe Shooter 28 not out
S Dawes 3 for 39

Ashbrittle 88 for 8
C Prescott 28 not out
Will Giblett 4 for 22
Steve Archer 3 for 19

Timberscombe 25 Points beat Ashbrittle 3 Points by 140 Runs