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Venue:
Bath CC 1st XI v Thornbury CC 1st XI
Bath CC 1st XI v Thornbury CC 1st XI
Bath CC 1st XI lost by just 9 runs in a thrilling run chase against Thornbury CC 1st XI at North Parade on Saturday. After winning the toss and electing to field, Bath’s pace attack made early inroads into Thornbury’s top order by removing the away sides Riggs (8), Bowden (2) and Thomas (7) with only 30 on the board. However, the arrival of Chris Dent steadied the ship and although Gibson (23) was out soon after, through Dent (67), Robbie O’Donnell (46) and Harry Thomas (64), Thornbury built a challenging total of 284 when they were bowled out in the 49th over. The pick of the Bath bowlers were Will Hope (4-37) and George Axtell (3-27).
Bath immediately found themselves under pressure as both openers were removed with just 43 on the board, and when Sam Young went in the 13th to make it 56-3, the home side looked like they had a huge challenge ahead. But then Ben Church and skipper, Harry Ellison built a 136 run partnership before Church narrowly missed his century when he went for an excellent 99. At 192-4 with 92 still required from the last 11 overs, Ellison then took charge batting effectively with Will Hope (29) to keep up with the run rate, but when Hope departed wickets continued to tumble at the other end and although Ellison posted a superb century, he fell in the last over with 12 runs still required for victory. Eventually, Bath concluded their innings on 275-9, still 9 runs short of Thornbury’s total. After two consecutive defeats, Bath have slipped to fourth in Premier One.