Cleeve CC’s batting failed to secure the required win as they went down by 30 runs to Whitchurch in their top of the table Bristol & District First Division clash last Saturday.

Skipper Sam Williams elected to chase after winning the toss and he looked to rely on his effective bowling attack in the rain affected contest.

Andy Barnsley (7-2-34) provided the initial break through securing a brace to remove both Whitchurch openers Fergus Bowen (2) and James Gammon (21) with catches from Ben Pinkney and James Boulton at 36-2. 

58 more runs were added before Joe Hance secured the run out of Josh Milton for 29

Glenn Lewin (6-27) and Joe Hance (6-36) both bowled without any success but Connor Hance (6-2-19) made the break through twice as William Beedell (1) and Ben Jefferies (47) both departed after the pair were caught by wicketkeeper Tom Carpenter and Lewin.

Boulton (3-2-16) collected two more wickets, removing Spencer Gammon for 10 and Nick Beedell for eight via a Barnsley catch. Several rain interruptions lead to just 28 overs being bowled and Whitchurch tabling 138-7 at the end of their innings.

Cleeve started their quest confident of the chase but lost Williams for just one when he was caught behind off Spencer Gammon, then Lewin next out caught for no score at 14-2.

A partnership of 28 followed before Connor Hance was caught off the bowlig of William Beedell for six and then James Ball fell two runs later after making 25 at 44-4.

The wickets then tumbled as Cleeve’s batters struggled to secure a toehold in the match until a 31-run partnership for the last wicket provided some hope as number 11 Tom Carpenter stood firm whilst Joe Hance tried in vain to get Cleeve close, finally perishing caught for a gutsy top score of 27, with Cleeve all out for 100 in the 28th over.

The result leaves Cleeve still in second and needing a win in the final match of the season this Saturday in front of a home crowd versus Lodway to secure promotion to the Senior Division.