News: So near, yet so far (October 2005)
When a team has destroyed its pre-season title rivals (Bedminster & Timsbury) by 130 and 140 runs respectively, smashed the club record for the highest innings total, averaged more than 220 runs when batting first and been victorious in its opening six fixtures, you could be forgiven for thinking that winning the coveted B&D 'A' League Division One title would be a formality......
However, cricket is never that straight-forward and, unfortunately for skipper, Richie Wilson and his talented squad, the summer of 2005 proved to be packed with brilliant performances and exciting climaxes but, ultimately, a season that would end with a deep sense of frustration, as the Thirds settled for the runner-up spot, by the narrowest of margins, for the second season in succession.
| Final 'A' XI Division One Table - Top Four | |||||||
Played |
Won |
Tied |
Lost |
Bonus |
Total |
Average |
|
| Timsbury 'A' | 14 |
11 |
0 |
3 |
120 |
296 |
21.1 |
| YMCA 'A' | 13 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
111 |
271 |
20.8 |
| Twyford House | 14 |
9 |
0 |
5 |
105 |
249 |
17.8 |
| Bedminster 'A' | 12 |
7 |
0 |
5 |
100 |
212 |
17.6 |
 |
| Wilson - Mr Invincible at home |
Fortress Golden Hill
Through some careless planning by the B&D fixture committee, the 3rds were forced to play all of its July fixtures away from home, often on erratic, poorly prepared pitches, and were only able to secure one victory from the five scheduled matches. The dramatic, mid-summer dip in form included back-to-back defeats against the league's bottom teams including an inexplicable batting collapse on St. Mary Redcliffe's inferior square in a match that should have been a home fixture.
Wilson reflected on the frustration he felt on that day:
"I have found as captain over the last three seasons that there is always a freak result each year and this was it. It was a truly bizarre game with one end of the wicket rearing up around the head and the other end mixed between this and the odd pea roller mixed in. Unfortunately the opposition exploited the familiar conditions better than we did on the day but we'll learn from it I'm sure!"
The feeling of injustice over the fixture list was compounded by the fact that Wilson's squad remained invincible at home - winning all seven games on the spacious outfield and even surface at Golden Hill, a ground which favours good shot selection and accurate bowling.
As the newly published league averages show, there was a huge amount to be proud of, both from a team perspective and also from the individual players - many of whom excelled themselves. Particular praise must go to the ultra-dependable vice-captain Gerry Davis (490 runs) and the inspirational Andy Spicer (34 wickets) who both produced a level of performance that may not be equalled for many years to come.
 |
| Rich Foale - excellent all-round season |
Meanwhile, other, perhaps less obvious, performers emerged from the shadows, most notably youth product, Rich Foale who excelled with both bat and ball and, part-time spinner Phil Wilton whose four wicket haul in his only match hinted a better things to come next season. Speaking of Foale's, supremo Wilson offered some well deserved praise:
"It has been disappointing this year not to have more youngsters in the team. However young Foaley has been a tremendous asset. His batting is excellent and his bowling is improving all the time with greater accuracy and control of the ball.
Another plus is his fielding and catching and now Rich is a regular 3rd teamer I don't think it will be too long before the 2nds come calling if his game continues to improve the way it did last season."
