Hampset 1st XI back down to earth with defeat by basement boys

A match round-up by Hampset Cricket Club – Saturday 2nd August.

Hampset 1st XI suffered a 37-run home defeat by bottom team Winterbourne on Saturday 2nd August

Hampset 1st XI were brought back down to earth following their win over Frampton Cotterell when they were beaten by bottom side Winterbourne in Bristol & District Cricket Association Division Two on Saturday 2nd August.

The 37-run setback at Bloomfield Rise saw the hosts slip to eighth place in the table.

With Hampset skipper Sam Marquiss absent, vice-captain Ethan Silcox stepped up to lead the team. He won the toss and elected to field.

The match began with some sharp bowling from Freddy Hiscott (3-40-8) and Silcox (3-27-7.5). The opening partnership was broken when, off the bowling of Silcox, Hiscott made an outstanding diving catch with one hand from short mid-wicket.

After another wicket from Silcox, Ollie Smith (0-19-3) and Tom Marquiss (0-36-8) entered the attack. Both created chances to break the batting partnership.

However, Matt Hill (2-37-5) gained the needed wicket thanks to a catch from Adam Hodgson on the boundary. Hill claimed another wicket, bowled around the batsman.

The attack then changed to Fergal McDonald and James Boyle to push for more wickets. Boyle’s figures were 2-27-4 and McDonald created many chances but was not able to have potential catches find hands in the field.

Hiscott and Silcox returned to finish their spells and take the final wickets, bringing the innings to a close with Winterbourne all out for 220.

As the deck continued to dry out and become more and more like a dustbowl, Hampset returned to the pitch to bat.

Openers Smith (25) and Hiscott looked to make an early impact, but the latter was out early to a jaffa.

Louis Gratton-Peters arrived at the crease and batted nicely with Smith, only to chop on for 16.

Hill was next in – but some tidy bowling resulted in wickets falling.

McDonald entered the fray. He looked very strong and patient for the 11 runs he made, Winterbourne’s young spinners just getting the better of him and Smith.

However, there was some hope for Hampset as Silcox batted with great composure, looking to build a partnership with Adam Hodgson (15) and then Boyle (14). But wickets fell around Silcox.

Rory McDonald and Steve Aust tried their best but Silcox was left stranded on an unbeaten 46 as Hampset were all out for 182 and picked up only seven points.

Hampset played hard and will take positives into their game at mid-table Twyford House 2nd XI, where they are looking for a better performance, on Saturday 9th August.

Silcox was named Hampset’s man of the match for his captaincy, bowling and batting.

The home side were grateful to Aust for filling in at the last minute and saving them from being a player short.