Following Cleeve’s mid-week victory over Hambrook to reach the semi-final of the Tony Hitch Bristol & District Cup, the North Somerset outfit managed to dodge the showers for a largely uninterrupted day’s play to beat Keynsham Seconds in Bristol & District's First Division last Saturday.

Returning captain, Sam Williams, asked Keysham to bat first with Tom Kennedy (1) pouched by Mitch Want as Andy Barnsley secured his first scalp at 14 -1. Barnsley (7-2-39)  secured a brace as Chris Gwyther was caught by Joe Hance for nine.

Glenn Lewin was next to strike, rapping Lewis Townsend on the pads to depart for 30 at 64-3. First change pace from Joe Hance (4-1-20) removed Ben Whittington (4) via Sam Williams catch at short extra cover at 72-4.

Want and Connor Hance then bowled in tandem, strangling the scoring rate and wickets began to tumble as a result. First Hance (8-3-12) removed Gary Wogan (31), Nick Lowe (0) and Matt Curzon (3), all to catches from Lewin, Williams and Ben Pinkney, at 134-7 as Want (8-1-15) removed top scoring Ian Fiebelkorn to a third catch for Williams. Charlie Husband (6) was run out by sharp work from Pinkney as Lewin wrapped things up dismissing John Courtney via Pinkney’s second catch, all out for 146 in 37.2 overs.

 After an old-fashioned top-quality cricket tea served up by Debbie Hance, Cleeve openers Want and Williams looked to wrap up a win before any rain came, with Want departing first for a quick fire 28, caught and bowled Jackson at 48-1.

Williams chased a wide one to be caught behind of Fiebelkorn for 20 at 75-2. Connor Hance and Ben Pinkney booked in for a long stay but Hance was bowled by Townscend for 14 as Pinkney found the boundary of four occasions before out caught off Curzon for 35, leaving Lewin (8) and Joe Hance (11) to take Cleeve to victory by six wickets as they reached their adjusted rain break target of 140 from 38, in the 30th over.

 The win cements Cleeve’s second place, just five points off leaders Whitchurch whose match was lost to the weather.

 This Saturday, Cleeve travel to Downend who lie in third place, searching for another victory.