Taveners Cricket Club

Tavs were pleased to contribute to the funds raised for this defibrillator, now installed at Somerdale Pavillion

So the Bristol & District season came to an end last weekend, and it's fair to say that the season did not end as well as it began for Taveners.

Despite losing our last 6 games (as well as every toss in the second half of the season), Tavs finished having played 16, won 8, lost 8, and a respectable 5th place in Division 7 (see table below)

A lot of real positives to take away from this season. Batters passing 100 on seven occasions (Mani (3 times!), Tres, George, Neil Amos and Captain Jacko). Rob Cousins averaging 74 with the bat too.

Some excellent moments in the field too, particularly from Lohit, who had a superb first season all round, with 21 wickets, exceptional catches and run outs, and a strong contribution with the bat.

Tavs also managed to field eleven players in every match, which in itself is a result.

A big mention must go to Club Captain Mark Fox, who works tirelessly to keep the club functioning. And, following a horrific injury while batting last year, it was great to see Foxy back on the field batting and fielding, and doing the double teapot when the first ball gets delivered wide down the leg side.

Next season is Tavs' 60th anniversary, so we'll look forward to celebrating that in 2020.

And if anyone fancies a game, or knows someone who does, give us a shout. Everyone welcome.

Up The Tavs!

Take a bow, Paul Jackson. Tavs’ skipper.

A valiant effort last Saturday, in a losing cause.

Taveners lost a second game in succession for the first time this season, but a more competitive performance kept Tavs in a promotion spot.

Bristol Asians won the toss and elected to bat first. George Amos and Owen Shirley opened the bowling and each removed an opening batter. Then a very impressive partnership between Khuram Arif (89) and Hassan Raza (75) put the Asians in a strong position before Khuram was run out thanks to a superb throw from the boundary by Lohit Ramegowda. Tavs continued to take wickets, including two more run outs, and Dave Adams finished with figures of 3 for 42. Bristol Asians totalling 247 all out off 45 overs.

As both sides took tea, the skies darkened and Tavs batting reply began in very poor light and rain threatening all around. And at 5 for 2 Taveners were struggling early on. But a solid partnership between Paul Jackson (29) and Neil Amos (58) followed by Rob Cousins (55), Lohit (21), George Amos (24) and Mark Fox (11 not out) meant Taveners posted a competitive reply of 214 for 7 off 45.

And although not enough to avoid defeat, Tavs earned 9 of a maximum 10 bonus points and now sit second in the table, three points behind new leaders Whitchurch.

We're at home again on Saturday against Bristol Pakistani 2nds.

Up the Tavs!

Taveners latest unbeaten run came to an end yesterday, with a 6 wicket defeat away at Coalpit Heath 2nds.

Asked to bat first on a damp, sticky pitch, Tavs struggled to get runs against some tight bowling. Neil Trescothick top scored with 56, and Rob Cousins finished unbeaten on 47 (his sixth not out this season, and apparently also passed 1000 runs for Taveners in the process). Tavs ending on a total of 149-6 off 45 overs.

As the sun came out and dried out the pitch somewhat, Coalpit Heath admitted that it had been a good toss to win. Nevertheless some wayward bowling meant that Tavs were unable to take the necessary wickets and stem the flow of runs. Coalpit Heath making 150-4 in 39.2 overs. Wickets for Dave Adams, Rich Newton and Neil Trescothick. Highlights of the Taveners outfield performance being sensational catches by Mark Fox behind the stumps and Captain Jacko on the long off boundary.

Man of the Match was awarded to Neil Trescothick for his half century and bowling figures of 2 for 7 off 2.2 overs.

Tavs remain top of Division 7, with 6 games to play.

Next up, Bristol Asians at home.

Up the Tavs!

Taveners strengthened their position at the top of Division 7 with a 93 run win against Timsbury 2nd XI yesterday.

Missing a few players, including Captain Jacko, Taveners were skippered by Neil Trescothick. Timsbury won the toss and elected to bowl first on a green but patchy pitch.

Tavs managed to bat the full 45 overs, finishing on 211-9, thanks mainly to half centuries from Lohit (63) and Rob Cousins (61), who put on 92 together for the fourth wicket.

After an unusually good tea served up at Somerdale (sorbet, anyone!?), Taveners bowled tightly and fielded well, including Dave Adams who had been left bleeding and disabled by a ball to the toe while batting. No catches were dropped and Timsbury were forced into mistakes, and were eventually bowled out for 118 in the 37th over.

Wickets were shared by all the bowlers, with Lohit and Newts both claiming 3, and Neil Amos wrapping up the win with his first ball to finish with figures of 0.1-0-0-1.

Man of the Match was given to Lohit, who took a superb diving catch to go with his first half century for Tavs and 3 wickets.

Whitchurch and BAC both lost yesterday and Tavs have now opened up a 38 point lead on 3rd place.

Next match is away at Coalpit Heath.


***AreWeTopOfTheLeague

Taveners got back to winning ways yesterday with an 11 run win away to BAC.

Tavs were asked to bat first and faced a very fast and accurate spell from both of BAC's opening bowlers. Captain Jacko saw them both off though and went on to top score with 90. Other sold contributions were made by Neil Amos (29) and Rob Cousins (33) and then a final stand between George Amos (28 not out) and Matt Snell (14 not out) earned full batting points and a total of 234 for 6 from 45 overs.

The BAC reply began with an early wicket when one of their openers skied a steepling catch off George Amos, which was well held by Rob Cousins. Then BAC's other opener was caught behind off an outside edge. However, the umpire claimed not to have seen or heard the nick (unlike everyone else on or around the pitch) and the batter refused to walk. This injustice was compounded as the batter went on to make 75. But a great bowling spell from Lohit (3 for 29) and some exceptional fielding, especially from Rob and Matt (who both took two catches) pegged back BAC, who were eventually bowled out for 223 in the final over. Dave Adams and George both also taking 3 wickets with one for Jacko.

So Tavs remain top of the league and have opened up a gap of 29 points to 3rd place.

Next Saturday we're home to Timsbury.

Mani in at number 15 on the NATIONAL Batting Honours Board.

Sorry to report that Taveners were knocked out of the Bateman Trophy last night, losing away at St George.

In his last game for Taveners, for now at least, Manikanta H Kumar finished by heading the Gloucestershire Honours Board for batting.

Superb, Mani!

And good luck from every Tavener. We will all miss you.

Gloucestershire Honours Board

Well, what a result for Taveners on the weekend. A win away at Whitchurch 2s, means Tavs have leapfrogged the opposition in the table and now sit top of Division 7 at the mid point in the season.

Man of the Match, once again, in his final match for Taveners before moving to Leeds, Manikanta Kumar smashed 172 for Tavs, who totalled 303-4 batting first. Captain Jacko also made 85.

In reply, Whitchurch managed 230-7 off 45 overs, with Jacko taking three wickets and three catches, in great all round performance. The other wickets were shared by Rich Newton (2), Neil Trescothick (1) and, of course, Mani (1).

Taveners next game is tomorrow evening in the T20 Cup, away at St George. Match starts at 6:15.

Up the Tavs