A match round-up by Hampset Cricket Club – Saturday 2nd August.
Hampset 2nd XI have now won three successive matches in Bristol & District Cricket Association Division Seven East
Hampset 2nd XI continued their late-season resurgence with a commanding 85-run victory at St George Valley 1st XI in Bristol & District Cricket Association Division Seven East.
The win was Hampset’s third in a row and gives them every chance of avoiding the drop from a tightly contested league.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Hampset posted a formidable 224-7 from their 40 overs at Whiteway Road on Saturday 2nd August.
The innings was built around a superb knock from Ashton Wright, who struck his second half-century in as many weeks – 66, with eight boundaries and a six.
Wright’s consistency at the top of the order has been a key factor in Hampset’s recent success.
He was well supported against St George by Gary Peters, who compiled a composed 68, and Jon Hart, who added a useful 24 in the middle order. Together, they laid the foundations for a total that proved too steep for the hosts.
Defending the total, Hampset’s bowlers were largely effective as St George Valley were restricted to 139-8.
James Dorey was outstanding, taking three wickets for just eight runs in a miserly eight-over spell that included five maidens.
Hart also impressed, claiming three wickets including the crucial dismissal of St George’s top-scorer Alan Pickett (64).
However, the bowling was not without its flaws. At times, the attack was guilty of dropping short, offering scoring opportunities that stronger opposition would likely exploit.
With tougher fixtures ahead, Hampset will need to tighten their lines and lengths to maintain their momentum.
In addition to his batting heroics, Wright made a significant impact in the field, taking two catches to help dismantle the opposition. His all-round contribution earned him the player-of-the-match honours for the second week running.
Hampset’s winning streak has injected fresh belief into the squad and significantly boosted their chances of avoiding relegation.
However, the road ahead is far from easy. The team now face three tough games against sides fighting for promotion or survival – that run starting at Saltford Fairway 1st XI on Saturday 16th August. So every run, wicket and point will be vital in the weeks to come.
