Bath CC 1st XI v Bristol CC 1st XI – ECB National Club Championship – Round 3

Bath CC 1st XI v Bristol CC 1st XI – ECB National Club Championship – Round 3

Bath CC 1st XI stormed to an eight wicket victory over Bristol CC 1st XI in Sunday’s round 3 ECB National Club Championship match.

After winning the toss and asking Bristol to bat first, the away side got off to a strong start racing to 36 without loss after six overs, but James Arney (3-49) then trapped opener, Ash Lakhani (10) in front. Jake Carstens then joined Nic Halstead Cleak and although these two batters built a 57 run partnership, the tight bowling by Matthew Cadywould (2-24) and Spencer Gammon took its toll as Halstead Cleak was caught behind off the bowling of Cadywould for a positive 47. Carstens (31) soon followed as George Axtell (1-36) returned to the attack to leave the away side 107-3 in the 22nd over but still looking at posting a score of more than 200. However, a continuation of very tight bowling by Bath built pressure on the Bristol batters and wickets began to tumble as they slipped to 145-8 with left arm spinner Josh Sutton picking up 4-28. Eventually Bristol were bowled out for 179 in the 37th over, which appeared to be an under par score.

Bath CC’s reply got off to a fantastic start with openers, Jack Scrivens (42) and Ben Wells (47) posting a 101 opening stand. Although both batters departed within an over of one another, the experienced Harry Dixon (33*) and Sam Young (33*) took Bath home to an eight victory with 16 overs still to be bowled, with Dixon smashing a huge six to take the home side over the line. Bath face Shepherds Bush CC in the next round of this national competition at North Parade on Sunday 12th July.