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Venue:
Bath CC 4th XI v Stoke Bishop CC 1st XI
Bath CC 4th XI v Stoke Bishop CC 1st XI
Bath CC 4th XI lost their first match of the season against Stoke Bishop CC 1st XI on Saturday. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Bath made a bright start before skipper David Pippett (12) departed to a brilliant one handed catch. After making a positive start, Thiaan Aspeling (14) also found himself back in the pavilion to leave Bath 42-2. This brought Sam Simmons to the crease to join Will Blackmore and both young batters steadied the ship in a 50 run partnership before Blackmore went for 21. Simmons went on to top score with 41 and with contributions from Charlie Pritchard (18), Allan Alex (21*) and Mike Roe (14*) Bath finished on what seemed a competitive 162-6.
Stoke Bishop’s reply got off to a flying start as opener, Gordon Leeks took the arial route to build a rapid 80 run opening partnership before fellow opener James Barlow was removed by Allan Alex. Leeks continued his aggressive approach and despite being dropped on three occasions his clean hitting innings of 92 from just 60 balls was a very impressive match winning knock. After Leeks departed, it was left to Abraham Turner (32*) and Harry Abel (16*) to knock off the winning runs in the 24th over. After this loss, Bath’s 4th XI are now third in the table.