Bath 3rd XI have imploded at the worst possible time of the season.
Former table-toppers Bath 3rd XI are in fourth spot in the league, 16 points behind the leaders, with two matches left
Bristol & District Cricket Association Division One’s former leaders lost for the fourth game running when they were beaten by Lodway 1st XI on Saturday 16th August.
With two rounds of matches to go, fourth-placed Bath still have a chance of winning the title, lying 16 points adrift of leaders Timsbury 1st XI.
The city side have now lost six league fixtures this year. But wind back the clock to Saturday 19th July, and they had suffered only two defeats and were easing to a comprehensive win over Hambrook 1st XI.
That success in South Gloucestershire was their last victory – losses followed to Lansdown 2nd XI, Midsomer Norton 2nd XI and Timsbury prior to the setback against Lodway.
And Bath will go into their final two games knowing that a maximum haul of 40 points may still not be enough to see them overhaul Timsbury, second-placed Norton and third-placed Whitchurch 1st XI.
Bath’s remaining outings are at home to Keynsham 2nd XI on Saturday 23rd August and away to Bristol West Indian Phoenix 2nd XI a week later.
Electing to bat against Lodway, guests Bath racked up 263 all out in 38.2 overs. But the Pill-based hosts got over the line by four wickets with eight balls remaining.
Travellers’ opening pair Luke Stringer (18) and Sam Simmons put on 70 for the first wicket. And Bath moved to 112-1, only for William Simmons to depart for 24.
Sam Simmons fell 14 runs later, having hit 79 – containing a six and 14 boundaries – off 76 balls.
Ben Harper’s exit for 28 left Bath 167-4 but Tim Scott and Josh Norgrove-Gray put on 69 for the fifth wicket, the partnership broken when the latter was ousted for 55 off only 18 balls. Norgrove-Gray belted five sixes and five fours but was injured during his innings and was unable to field.
Scott was out for a 36-ball 40 but the remaining batters offered little.
Matthew Crutchely took the bowling honours with 4-47 from six overs.
With openers Adam Robson and Tobias Rice in fine form, Lodway responded with a first-wicket stand worth 90, Rice sent back for 38.
Robson anchored the innings with a century – and when he became sixth batter out, the North Somerset team were 27 short of victory. Robson made 123, featuring a six and 21 fours, from 109 balls.
Number eight Stephen Edmonds’ undefeated 25 from 11 deliveries eased them to their target.
Luke Welsh (3-48 in eight overs) and Charlie Pritchard (3-58 off six overs) shared the wickets.
