Cleeve CC 2nd team took on Weston-super-Mare CC’s 3rd team in the cup this week and lost a thriller by four wickets with just two balls to spare, despite an exciting 34 ball 39 runs from all-rounder Cam Elswood.

Skipper George Parsons elected to bat first on a cold, dark May evening, as Phil Gostlin was bowled for three in the first over by Cunningham at 6-1, allowing Alfie Parsons to join captain and cousin George at the crease.

George just won the family battle after departing for 19, one more than Alfie, as both were bowled by Cunningham who collected his 2nd wicket and Chatterjee his first.

Keeper, Tom Birt looked assured for his 20 runs as he and top scorer Elswood upped the rate, before both were bowled.

Alex Soch was stumped off Davidson for one and Olly F went back to the changing rooms for no score, leaving Paul Todd not out on 17 after the allotted 20 overs, with Cleeve posting a total of 129 for seven.

Cleeve were confident of keeping the runs down as the opening pair of Alex Grubb and Freddie Basnett were bowling tight lines, and they started securing wickets.

Bailey was pouched by Todd and Flemming was bowled for no score, as Basnett landed a brace with two wickets from four overs, conceding just 3.5 runs an over.

Grubb supported well as he castled Turner for four, putting Weston-super-Mare 12 for three at the start of the 4th over.

Ollie F and Alfie Parsons were unsuccessful during two overs apiece, and a change to Ellis Turner’s wrist spin, one for 28 from three overs, secured a successful LBW shout to remove Holland for 14.

George Parsons then snatched an extended one-handed leap of his own bowling to end three overs at one for 22.

The late addition of pace from Elswood and reintroduction of Grubb was not enough to stem the flow of required runs as WSM nudged over the line with just two balls to spare.

Thoughts now return to the league where Cleeve 2nds remain unbeaten as they host Bristol CC 4ths on Saturday hoping for their good run to continue.