Bath CC 1st XI v Shepherds Bush CC 1st XI – ECB National Club Championship

Bath CC 1st XI’s National Club Championship cup run came to an end on Sunday at North Parade, as they lost by two wickets in the last over of the match to Shepherds Bush CC 1st XI.

After being asked to bat first, Bath lost Jack Scrivens (4) early but then both Ben Wells (38) and Harry Dixon (24) swiftly put on 61 runs in just eight overs before both fell in quick succession to leave the home side 73-3. Sam Young (13) soon followed but Alex Haleem and skipper, Harry Ellison then put on an important 64 run stand before Haleem (28) was caught & bowled. Ellison continued to bat well with the lower order before departing for an excellent 61, and Louis Brown hit a run-a-ball 27 not out to get Bath up to a respectable 228 All Out from their 40 overs.

The Shepherds Bush reply was very steady before they lost Marcus Howard (12) in the 11th over to leave the away side 26-1. Bath continued to take regular wickets, and as Shepherds Bush were 96-4 in the 24th over, the match looked in the balance. Bath then took control as James Arney (3-41) returned to the attack and snapped up a wicket and run out to leave the away side 113-6. However, although wickets had been falling in regular intervals wicketkeeper, Fin Trenouth had held firm at the other end and continued to dispatch Bath’s bowling to the boundary. Trenouth continued to bat effectively with the lower order, bringing down the run rate with a mix of big blows and busy running as he brought up an excellent century, and with 18 runs required off two overs, the match could still swing either way. But, once again, Trenouth hit a six in the penultimate over to leave Shepherds Bush needing eight off the last over and he then hit the first two balls for four to win the match for his side – finishing on 110 not out. As a result of this win, Shepherds Bush progress to the quarter finals.