Castle keep survival hopes alive

UPHILL Castle produced an excellent performance against Bishopston to keep their survival hopes alive.

Uphill welcomed back Mike Hudson, who made an immediate impact taking two wickets in his first over, including the dangerous Coombes. George Cox deservedly removed Wenham in an excellent opening spell to put Castle on top.

O’Brien (44) and Luff (17) began rebuilding, but Kearsey, Bail and Chris Davidson put the squeeze on in the middle overs. Davidson had O’Brien caught behind and shortly after, Kearsey had Luff stumped leaving Bishopston at 98-5.

Some lusty blows from Booth (31) helped Bishopston, but with the reintroduction of Cox, their innings crumbled as he ripped through the tail to finish with outstanding figures of 12.1-4-22-5. John Davidson claimed four victims behind the stumps and credit must go to the whole bowling unit.

John Davidson got the Uphill innings going with some early boundaries, but following the loss of Belcher, he and Rob Tasker had to grind through a tough opening spell from Luff.

Davidson fell for 32, before Bliss went cheaply. Tasker batted with determination but fell to Luff just before the end of his spell. At the halfway stage, Uphill were 76-4 with the game in the balance.

Lambert and Chris Davidson fought hard to bring up the 100 before Lambert took the game away from Bishopston with consecutive 10 run overs including two big sixes. Davidson (24 not out) played with caution as he played second fiddle for much of the innings.

It was a fitting end to the game as Lambert drilled the bowler back over his head for the winning boundary, bringing up another half century in the process.

Uphill picked up 20 points to lift them just above the relegation zone, but need more wins to guarantee safety.

Excellent contributions came from Lambert, John Davidson and all the bowlers, but man of match went to George Cox. On Saturday, Castle travel to basement side Stapleton.

? Despite a spirited performance in the field, Uphill Cavaliers lost at Sparkford by four wickets.

Once again the problem was lack of runs amongst the experienced top and middle order. The notable exception was 15-year-old Jake Llewellyn, who raced to 38, with nine fours, and put on 50 with Martin Palmer in eight overs.

Home skipper Enticott came on to bowl and changed the game. He scythed through the batting order with 5-32 from 11 overs. He was supported by the equally accurate Dicker (3-20 from 10 overs).

Dave Bickell threatened briefly but fell for 20, triggering a collapse, as the last six wickets could only muster 17 runs and Castle were all out for 102.

Seeking to emulate Enticott’s performance, Uphill opened up with Bob Hurford’s off breaks and his 12 overs cost only 14 runs, but yielded only two wickets.

However, they didn’t have it all their own way. In two fine spells, Hallam Bickell took 2-29 off 11 overs, thanks to smart catches by Adrian Gardener and Llewellyn. James Holt also settled into a good line and length, capturing 1-15 from his six overs, and with Kyran Davidson achieving a fine run out, hope flickered for Uphill as the home side were teetering on 50-6.

However, with Hurford seen off, skipper Enticott and keeper Gallacher steered their side home.

Specsavers man of the match was Jake Llewellyn.

? Crusaders skipper Tim Holt won the toss and inserted Wincanton. Holt and George Kimmins bowled economically, as the batsmen struggled to make any headway.

Kimmins took 3-17 and Holt 2-44 from 12 overs, Gary Kennedy making his 4th XI debut took over from Kimmins and well to finish with 3-21. Dave Kelley got the last wicket as Castle bowled out the visitors for 94.

However, they struggled in reply to such a low total, with five of the top six batsmen out for less than double figures. Paul Kuht remained solid against some good bowling and he was eventually out for 27.

Andy Llewellyn then anchored the home sides innings. Kimmins came in when Kuht was out and breezed to 13 with two enormous sixes, but when he and Kennedy were out there were still a few runs required.

Llewellyn finished the game with a boundary to end with 34 not out, Castle winning by two wickets. Specsavers man of the match was Andy Llewellyn.