Hampset Sunday XI slip up in rain-reduced clash at Blagdon

A match round-up by Hampset Cricket Club – Sunday 3rd August.

Hampset’s Sunday XI lost to a Blagdon side who went into the final four overs needing 39 to win

Hampset’s Sunday XI suffered a five-wicket defeat when they visited Blagdon in a rain-affected clash in North Somerset Cricket League Sunday Conference Division Three.

Drizzle meant that the match on Sunday 3rd August was reduced to 25 overs per side.

Hampset were inserted by their North Somerset-based opponents and, despite the loss of two early wickets, they rebuilt well through Oli Rose and Sarfaraz Mahar (62).

When Rose departed, Oscar Costello (30) joined Mahar, and the pair became the mainstay of the Hampset innings. They amassed a 66-run partnership before Mahar was stumped, looking to accelerate the scoring rate.

Hampset were 112-5 with six overs to go, and the tail began to wag.

Contributions from Charlie Dolman (12), Wishal Henry (11 not out) and James Clarke (14 not out) ensured Hampset finished their innings on 158-7.

Confident their total was above par, Hampset took to the field. However, the Blagdon openers proved difficult opponents for the visiting attack, and a few too many loose balls left the villagers 73 without loss in the 11th over.

James Clarke returned to the attack and picked up the first wicket, the batter caught well by Rose at point, high above his head.

With Mahar bagging the second wicket and Tom Marquiss claiming the scalp of the other Blagdon opener in the following over, the visitors had suddenly clawed their way back into the game. Blagdon were 90-3 after 15 overs.

Some more tight overs from Mahar and Costello – the latter also took the fourth wicket – meant the Blagdon batters required 39 runs from the final four overs.

The need to push for runs gave Steve Aust a run-out chance, which he took well, but the home side were able to keep up with the rate.

Blagdon went into the final over needing nine to win. A single off the first ball brought the set batter on strike, and he was able to win the game with consecutive boundaries, the hosts closing on 161-5 with two balls to spare.

Hampset will receive Old Cathedralians at Bloomfield Rise on Sunday 10th August in a mid-table battle.