Lansdown 1st XI beaten by leaders for first loss in eight games

Lansdown 1st XI will finish as runners-up in West of England Premier Cricket League Premier Two Bristol/Somerset.

Lansdown 1st XI will have to settle for runners-up spot

Needing to overcome leaders Midsomer Norton 1st XI handsomely if they were to take the title-race into the final weekend of the season, they made a brave fight of it but were beaten by two wickets at Withies Lane on Saturday 23rd August.

The Down’s defeat was their first loss in eight league matches.

Put in, Lansdown made 230-9 in their 50 overs. Skipper Jordan Smith and George Scott shared a superb opening stand worth 135 from 29 overs.

Smith departed for 65 – featuring three sixes and seven fours – from 97 balls.

When Scott was sent back 5.1 over later for an 87-ball 62 that included a six and eight fours, the guests were 154-3.

That became 182-6 but Noah Davis (29) and Sam Pearce (22) added important runs.

Ed Walker, Callum Harvey, JC Harding and Nick Pang each took two wickets for the home side.

In reply, Norton were 144-3 but slipped to 172-6. Then two wickets from Luke Charlesworth reduced them to 216-8 after 39.1 overs.

But Josh Rodd (5 not out) and Harding (10 not out) took the hosts to the crown at 223-8 from 42 overs, opener Morgan Skipp’s 58 the biggest contribution.

Unfortunately for Lansdown, they gave away 34 extras including 25 wides.

Charlesworth returned 3-54 from 10 overs.

Lansdown will complete their campaign at home to third-placed Congresbury 1st XI on Saturday 30th August.

There was also disappointment for Lansdown 2nd XI when they faced Midsomer Norton 2nd XI at Combe Park on Saturday 23rd August in Bristol & District Cricket Association Division One. The visitors prevailed by seven wickets.

The Down elected to take first knock and crashed from 51-2 to 103 all out, Sam Athay (17) the best of the batters in the 32-over innings. However, extras (21) top-scored.

Nick Potter (4-15 from six overs) and Tiger Sherred-Isles (3-10 in four overs) starred with the leather for Norton.

With Martin Cox making 45 and Sherred-Isles striking an undefeated 39, the travellers reached 107-3 in 22.2 overs, Matthew Thomas bagging 2-24 off 6.2 overs.

Norton are now four points clear at the top of the table with one game to go. The Down, who are seventh, will wrap up their season at championship-hopefuls Lodway 1st XI on Saturday 30th August.

Lansdown 3rd XI trounced hosts Timsbury 3rd XI by 146 runs in Bristol & District Cricket Association Division Nine East on Saturday 23rd August.

The Down recovered from 38-3 to post 236-6 off 40 overs after being inserted, Ashton Williams (50) and Andy Cox (59 from 49 balls) leading the charge by putting on 104 for the fourth wicket.

However, Timsbury contributed greatly to their downfall by gifting the visitors 65 extras – including 46 wides. Max Steeds gave away 15 wides but still had impressive figures of 3-25 from seven overs, two of which were maidens.

Extras (33) top-scored in the Timsbury response, which ended at 90 all out from 24.4 overs. The villagers had been 36 without loss. The pick of their batters were William Rawlings and Paul Sage, who managed 16 apiece.

Christopher Edwards grabbed 3-10 in four overs, and Will Harrison, Xander Priscott and Sam Lindsley each took two scalps.

Lansdown 3rd XI will conclude their league season at home to neighbours Hampset 1st XI on Saturday 30th August. Runners-up spot is still on offer for the third-placed Down.