Timsbury 1st XI made a disappointing start to their Wadworth 6X West of England Premier League Bristol & North Somerset Division campaign as they were beaten by five wickets at home to Shirehampton.
They made a disastrous start after electing to bat first and never fully recovered being second best in most aspects of the game.
Opener Andrew Carter and number three Doug Storey both played on without scoring and when skipper Mark Sage was superbly caught in the gully for 16 after a typically positive start the home side were rocking on 16-3.
Opening bowler Billy Cook (5-17) was having a field day and as more wickets crashed Timsbury found themselves 47-7. At that point Timsbury at last offered some resistance, with new vice-captain Jon Strand (37) and Mark Smith (19) proving that there were no great evils in the pitch.
The visitors bowled with discipline as the home side were all out for 98 and significantly offered just two wides.
Timsbury's bowlers battled hard to defend the modest total and there were two wickets each for Dave Filer and Neil Hucker but crucially there was also a total of 20 wides. Steve Clothier bowled seven tight overs to finish with 1-10 but Shirehampton had more than 21 overs to spare when they passed the Timsbury total with five wickets in hand.
Timsbury will be hoping for a big improvement on Saturday when they travel to newly-promoted Chew Magna's picturesque ground.
A Timsbury side featuring a blend of youth and experience also tasted defeat in the 2nd XI fixture ata windy Shirehampton.
Half-centuries from Stuart Moss (57) and the Darren Nurse (64) were well supported by 33 from Andy O'Connor as the home side amassed a score of 227-7 from their 45 overs. Nick Cleevely picked up 4-36.
The visitors were weakened by an unfortunate finger injury to young wicketkeeper George Brinkworth early in the innings and he was forced to leave the field to be replaced behind the stumps by Ellis Grubb.
Losing both openers early did not help the Timsbury run chase either but Paul Cracknell (24) and Stuart Earle (19) both gave hope when staying with Cleevely, who occupied the crease for a lengthy period to score 33.
However, only skipper Rob Langley (17) made any late impact as Timsbury were dismissed for 130 after just 32.1 overs, leaving the home side as comfortable winners.
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