Match reports 20th-21st May
25 May 2023
Bath CC 1st XI v Bridgwater 1st XI
Bath CC 1st XI travelled to the Parks on Saturday to face a strong Bridgwater CC 1st XI, which included Somerset and franchise batter, Will Smeed. Bridgwater captain, Alex Eckland won the toss and chose to bat, but the home side soon found themselves 10-1 when opener, Michael Coles (4) was dismissed by James Arney. This then brought Charlie Sharland to the crease to join Andrew Hallaran, and this partnership took the Bridgwater innings up to 73, before George Axtell removed Hallaran for 31. The home side’s innings was then built around Sharland’s excellent 122, as all the Bridgwater middle-lower order made starts but didn’t post a significant score, and when Will Smeed departed for just 17, Bath continued to take wickets to eventually bowl out Bridgwater for 271 in the final over. George Axtell was the pick of the Bath bowlers, picking up 4-45 from his ten overs.
Bath’s innings started positively, moving to 27 before Brad Porteous was caught off the bowling of Jarrod McKay for 7. Number three, Kester Moseley then joined Jack Scrivens, and put on an important 81 to get the Bath innings really motoring before Scrivens went for 55. This brought in-form, Sam Young to the crease and he quickly went about his work – building another 50+ partnership before Moseley was trapped in front by spinner, Max Toohey for an important 62 leaving the score 159-2. With over 100 runs still required skipper, Tim Rouse joined Young, and played the anchor role as Young smashed an unbeaten 118* off just 92 balls to take the Bath side home in the 46th over. Bath picked up 23 points as they recorded their second consecutive away win.
Bath CC 2nd XI v Knowle CC 1st XI
Bath 2nds played hosts to Knowle CC 1st XI at North Parade on Saturday. Bath skipper, Will Arney won the toss and elected to bat, and this proved to be a good decision, as openers Campbell McKegg and Ryan Kochupurakal put on 97 for the first wicket before Kochupurakal went for a brisk 45. Harry Allen then joined McKegg to take the innings forward by putting on another 84, before McKegg was out for an excellent 106. Allen (60) and Hamish Bell (41) then took the score up to 260, and when both batters were out further contributions from Bath’s middle-lower order closed the innings on a commanding 327-8.
Bath made a great start with the ball removing both Knowle openers with just five on the board. Captain, Joe Brimble then went for 1, to leave the Bristol side on 18-3. Despite half centuries from Oliver Haynes (56), Jake Luffman (59) and Fred Barton (54) Knowle batted with little intent to reach the Bath score and in the end, they were left 85 runs adrift with eight wickets down. Campbell McKegg was the pick of the bowlers with 3-23, capping off a fine all-round performance.
Bath CC 3rd XI v Bristol West Indian Phoenix CC 2nd XI
Bath CC 3rd XI travelled to Bristol to face Bristol West Indian Phoenix CC 2nd XI on Saturday. The home side won the toss and elected to field, and this seemed to prove a good decision when opener Bill Simmons (5) was trapped in front with just 16 on the board. Fellow opener and Bath skipper, Thiann Aspeling then led from the front with an impressive 82, but regular wickets fell around him as the Bath innings finished on what seemed a slightly under par, 187-8.
Bath’s bowlers then got off to a great start removing both openers with just 26 on the board, but number three, Gurmail Baryah then smashed a run a ball century supported by skipper, Ricardo Robinson (27) and Zemroy Thomas (15) to pass the Bath total with almost ten overs left to win by seven wickets.
Bath CC 4th XI v Brislington CC 3rd XI
Bath CC 4th XI hosted a very tight match against Brislington 3rd XI at the Brownsword Ground on Saturday. Brislington won the toss and elected to field, but the Bath openers steadily built a partnership of 127 before young opener, Sam Price went for 17. Fellow opener, David Pippett then went on to post a powerful 151 from just 117 balls to take the Bath total up to 208-6.
Bath’s opening bowler, Genevieve Donaldson then made a fine start – removing both openers with just 16 on the board, and Bath continued to control the match and take regular wickets to leave the Bristol side 116-7. But the Brislington lower order rebuilt their innings, and with nine wickets down they were left with two runs required to win off the last ball. Although, the Bristol side just got over the line to win by one wicket, Bath’s young side once again put in an excellent all-round performance. Pick of the bowlers were Genevieve Donaldson (3-33), Will Blackmore (2-44) and Evie Dixon (2-31).
