Solid batting display secures victory at Lansdown

CONGRESBURY put last week’s debacle behind them with a solid victory away at Lansdown.

Winning the toss on what looked a decent track, together with pretty much a perfect outfield, Lansdown started well, rattling up 25 in the first three overs, with Congresbury’s Edmunds and Doherty bowling too full.

However, Doherty in particular, adjusted well, slowing the run rate and collecting the wicket of Marjot. With Edmunds struggling with a sore foot, Steve Baker was called into the attack early and bowled a fine spell as Congresbury fought back by reducing Lansdown from 50-1 to 50-3 and then 89-5.

Athey and Book took the score to 154, with Book in particular striking some nice boundaries, but the Congresbury bowlers acquitted themselves well and never really allowed the batsmen to get away. A final total of 182-8 was perhaps a little under par for the conditions.

Steve Baker was the pick of the bowlers with 4-54, while Doherty claimed 2-31 and Andrews 2-28. Sam Evans came back from a horror first over to finish with 0-34, bowling better than his figures would suggest.

In reply, Congresbury tried a new partnership with Castle and Frost, and they started positively, both striking early boundaries before Castle was bowled by the pacey Price with the score at 26.

Frost and Perry took the score to 74 before the former was dismissed for 35. With Ian Perry then falling, stumped down the leg side shortly afterwards, Congresbury were 74-3.

Mick Edmunds struck a couple of powerful fours before being bowled by a beauty from Wood for 13. Nick Clifton then followed, also for 13, which left Congresbury wobbling slightly at 128-5.

However, Fisher and Brean allayed any concerns by continuing the positive approach, using the extra pace of Price in particular to score quickly, before Brean holed out for 11.

This brought the experienced Andrews to the crease and he was in no mood to give up his wicket, as the final 19 runs were scored with no further alarm. Fisher ended unbeaten on 60 and Andrews on eight as the Lansdown score was reached with seven overs to spare.

Congresbury, who remain in third place in the table, are at home to Winterbourne this weekend.