Lansdown 3rd XI can’t keep great start going against leaders

Lansdown 3rd XI reduced the Bristol & District Cricket Association Division Nine East leaders to 55-5 but could not maintain the momentum and were beaten by 39 runs.

Lansdown 3rd XI reduced table-topping Bristol New Eleven 2nd XI to 55-5 but ended up losing by 39 runs

The Down were told to field by visitors Bristol New Eleven 2nd XI on Saturday 16th August but had the top dogs reeling early on at 4-2 and 18-3.

Key to the turnaround was number three Anish Krishnankutty, who dug in and ensured his side had 164 runs on the board when he became seventh batter out. Krishnankutty hit 78 off 108 deliveries before being bowled by Harry Goddard.

Tail-enders Manoj Varghese (20) and Arunkumar Hari (24 not out) added vital runs to help New Eleven to 212 all out from 40 overs, Will Harrison the bowling star with 4-32 in eight overs.

Lansdown plunged to 50-4 in reply but number three Ashton Williams stood firm.

He and Goddard (22) put on 60 for the fifth wicket. And then Williams and Sam Lindsley (13) added 54 for the sixth wicket. Williams was the man to go, having cracked 13 fours in his 106-ball 80.

But time was against the hosts and they closed on 173-8 off 40 overs, Jacob Joy and Akshaykumar Suresh pocketing three wickets apiece.

Lansdown’s second-highest score came from extras (38).

The Down will make the trip to Timsbury 3rd XI on Saturday 23rd August for their final away game of the league campaign.