Somerset League Div Four: Tintinhull (32) 152-9 bt Huntspill & Dist (13) 94 by 58 runs
PROMOTED Huntspill started life in Division Four with a disappointing defeat. Having elected to bowl, they should have got a breakthrough with the total three when Dan Tippetts forced a false shot from Briggs, only for Slack to drop a simple chance at cover.
This was the only early chance, as Tippetts and Chris Barker struggled to settle into a rhythm, which allowed the batsmen to score runs without difficulty on a slow, low wicket.
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Huntspill almost broke the stand when a good piece of fielding by Matt Counsell was unlucky not to run out Slade. Counsell introduced himself and his dad Dave into the attack.
This had an instant impact, as Dave forced an error from Slade and the diving Matt took the catch. Then Matt deceived the well-set Briggs, only for Barker to misjudge the catch in the deep and give him another life.
When Dave Counsell bowled an excellent, slower ball to produce a simple catching opportunity, Slack and Tippetts got in a mix-up and the ball dropped between them.
Briggs continued to ride his luck, with Matt Counsell beating him on several occasions. The skipper removed Keane, with Osmant taking a simple catch. Briggs passed 50 and gave further chances which went begging.
Dave Counsell finished his fine spell with 1-34 and was replaced by Slack, who took a wicket in his second over. When Matt Counsell (2-42) struck in his final over with a sharp-spinning delivery, Tintinhull were 123-4 with ten overs left.
Barker and Slack produced fine spells of "death" bowling, with the batsmen struggling to up the tempo. Slack removed Briggs for 75, as his luck finally ran out, while Barker (2-30) took two wickets in successive balls. In the final over, Slack dismissed two more batsmen, giving him figures of 4-26 and leaving Tintinhull on 152-9.
They had scored only ten runs in the final five overs and Huntspill knew that if they had taken their chances, their target would have been much less.
Their reply got off to the worst possible start, as they lost Slack first ball to a shooter. Tippetts and Osmant scored steadily before a ball leapt off a length to get Tippetts. When Matt Counsell received a shooter an over later, Huntspill had slumped to 23-3.
Barker and Osmant tried not to allow the wicket to get the better of them. Osmant played well before he was dismissed by one which kept low, leaving Huntspill on 41-4.
Dave Counsell played a supporting role as Barker attacked the bowling, riding his luck but hitting some big sixes. When Counsell tried to do the same, he was bowled.
New batsman Maxwell shared the highest partnership of the innings with Barker, who continued to find the boundaries hitting a huge six over the pavilion. Both departed soon afterwards, Barker for 37 and Maxwell for 14, which all but ended Huntspill's slim hopes of victory. They folded to 94 all out, with Shaun Lismore finishing unbeaten on five.
Huntspill know they must improve on this performance. On Saturday, they face familiar foes in Barton St David, who joined them in gaining promotion last season.
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