Athay slams ton as Lansdown 2nd XI win – but 3rd XI are thumped

Sam Athay hit 16 hours in a fine 104 as Lansdown 2nd XI recorded the expected victory over struggling Clevedon 2nd XI in Bristol & District Cricket Association Division One.

Lansdown 2nd XI overpowered Clevedon 2nd XI – but the city side’s 3rd XI went down to Bristol Aces

The seasiders, bottom of the table, were given a torrid time in the field, the Down posting 291-5 in their 40 overs after opting to bat in the Saturday 2nd August encounter at Combe Park.

Athay and fellow opener Krish Mirchandani were relentless, piling on 204 for the first wicket in 29.3 overs.

Clevedon finally made the breakthrough when Mirchandani was bowled by Josh Bray for 63 off 89 balls. Mirchandani’s innings featured eight fours.

Athay was eventually removed in the 36th over, having faced 105 deliveries.

Bray returned 2-43 in seven overs. Two wickets also went to Henry Thompson – his victims including Athay – but his economy rate was 9.33.

Despite their league position, Clevedon did not make it easy for Lansdown in the second innings.

They managed 226-7 in their 40 overs, and had their own centurion in Bray.

In at number three with 3.1 overs gone, he went on to make an undefeated 106 – off 110 balls – that included 18 fours.

Wicket-kepper Kian Ware, batting at number seven, struck 34, number four George Salmon chipped in with 24 and there were 32 extras.

Bray and Ware put on 73 for the sixth wicket.

Louis Mancini pocketed 2-26 in eight overs and Eddie Steedman had 2-45 off eight overs as Lansdown emerged 65-run winners.

The Down will visit Whitchurch 1st XI on Saturday 9th August in the league.

Lansdown 3rd XI were all out for 128 in their Bristol & District Cricket Association Division Nine East match at home to fellow high-fliers Bristol Aces 2nd XI and went down by 97 runs.

The Aces, who chose to bat in the Saturday 2nd August fixture at Bath Spa University Sports Ground, posted 225-8 in 40 overs, Shiyas Muhammed the chief run-getter with 57 and Will Harrison and Andrew Cripps each taking two wickets.

With extras top-scoring on 32 and number nine Cripps (22 not out) the best of the batters, the Down were ripped out in 35.4 overs in response, having been 86-9.

Muhammed shone with the ball, bagging 5-24 from eight overs.

Lansdown will visit Bristol Lions 2nd XI on Saturday 9th August in Division Nine East.