Match reports 1st/2nd July
5 July 2023
Bath CC 1st XI v Taunton Dean CC 1st XI
Bath CC 1st XI recorded a convincing win away to Taunton Deane 1st XI on Saturday. Bath’s skipper, Tim Rouse won the toss and chose to bat, and openers Jack Scrivens and Brad Porteous once again raced to a fifty partnership before Scrivens went for 27. This brought Justin Marshall to the crease and with Porteous a significant partnership started to develop, and it was only when Marshall had brought up his half century that the 166-run partnership was broken when Porteous was trapped in front for an excellent 111 of just 98 balls. With the score on 221-2, the perfect platform had been bult for another rapid innings from number four, Sam Young who rushed to 57 off just 38 balls before he was bowled – having put on another 100 partnership with Marshall. The lower order then chipped in as Marshall recorded his first century for the club, finishing 111 not out as Bath closed their innings on 370-5 from their 50 overs.
Taunton Deane’s reply started well with skipper, Harry Smith (19) and Fin Hill (29) putting on 48 for the first wicket, but when Smith was bowled by Paul Muchall, this prompted a collapse where five wickets tumbled for just six runs to leave the home side 54-5. The Taunton lower and middle order tried to respond, but Bath’s tight bowling continued to take regular wickets to eventually bowl out Taunton Deane for 145 and win the match by 225 runs. The pick of the bowlers were Paul Muchall (4-24) and James Arney (3-63). Bath have now extended their lead to eight points at the top of Premier One.
Bath CC 2nd XI v Bristol CC 2nd XI
Bath CC 2nd XI recorded another excellent win against Bristol CC 2nd XI at North Parade on Saturday. The Bristol side won the toss and chose to bat. After losing opener, Martin Worndl with just 22 on the board, Bristol then built a steady but crucial partnership between Ashiv Lakhani (67) and Rupert Young (87), to take the away teams score to 142-2 when Lakhani was out. Bristol still looked in a strong position, but the return of all-rounder, Campbell McKegg to the attack changed the game as he swiftly took five wickets (5-40) including the important wicket of Young to bundle out Bristol for 218 with an over still to be bowled.
Bath’s response was built around an excellent century from Campbell McKegg (117) to complete a fine all-round performance. Although fellow opener, Henry Allen was trapped in front for just 7, McKegg and number three Kester Moseley (56) then put on 143 to take the Bath innings up to 192-2 when Moseley was out. Bath then completed their six-wicket victory at a canter with over 12 overs still to be bowled. As a result of this win, Bath 2nd XI remain second to Congresbury 1st XI in the league.
Bath CC 3rd XI v Hambrook CC 1st XI
Bath’s 3rd XI lost at home to Hambrook CC 1st XI on Saturday. Bath won the toss and asked Hambrook to bat first, and this decision looked the right one when the away side lost two quick wickets, leaving them 26-2. Two small partnerships then took Hambrook up to 93-4, and the match was in the balance when skipper, Edin Ahmed and number six, Krunal Visavadia came together. Both batters were positive from the start and quickly built a 97-run partnership when Ahmed was out for a fine 57. Visavadia (50) soon followed just after bringing up his half century, but contributions from the lower order took the Hambrook score up to a very competitive 247-9.
Bath’s response was built around another solid knock from opener, Bill Simmons (45), and contributions from Ben De Costa (30) and Tim Scott (35), but when all three had gone with the score on 128-5, it looked an uphill task ahead for Bath’s batters. Only number eight, Will Ireland (31) was able to provide any significant contribution to the home sides score, as Bath were eventually bowled out for 184 with just one ball to be bowled.
Bath CC 4th XI v Hanham CC 2nd XI
Bath’s 4th XI lost away to Hanham CC 2nd XI on Saturday. Hanham won the toss and asked Bath to bat first. The Bath openers put on 41 before Mathan Balasubramaniyan (7) was out. This brought Joseph Stairs to the crease to join Daniel Hope, but Hope was soon out for a run a ball 43 to leave the Bath side 57-2. Stairs then hit an excellent knock of 71 to hold the innings together as batters came and went at the other end, and when Stairs was the seventh batter out, the Bath side were swiftly bowled out for 175 in the penultimate over.
Hanham quickly built a 66 run opening partnership in response, and when both openers fell, the rest of the Hanham top five made contributions, including 47 from number four, Richard Edwards to take the home side to a four-wicket victory in the 37th over, to record their first win of the season.
Bath CC Wanderers 1st XI v Taunton Deane CC Women’s 1st XI
The Bath CC Wanderers 1st XI recorded a strong win against league leaders Taunton Deane Women’s 1st XI on Sunday. Choosing to bat first, the Wanderers got off to a fine start through openers Isla Thomson (30) and Katie Dolman (26) and when they were both out, skipper Charlotte Phillips (69) and Emily Smith (65 not out) both posted half centuries to take the Wanderers score up to an imposing 247-3 from their 40 overs.
Although Taunton Deane made a good start and were led by an excellent 58 from opener, Karla Rose, the Wanderers took regular wickets throughout to ensure Taunton Deane kept behind the run rate and were bowled out for 186 with just one over to be bowled. Pick of the bowlers was Lily Day (3-21).
The Wanderers’ 61 run win ensures they stay in second place to Taunton Deane in the Women’s Premier Division with a match in hand.
