Bohemians CC 150 all out lost to Stoke Gifford CC 151/8 by 2 wickets
Stoke Gifford 1st XI claimed a hard-fought two-wicket victory over Bohemians CC in an entertaining Eighth Division North clash at home. After winning the toss and choosing to field, Stoke Gifford had to withstand an aggressive start from the visitors before turning the game on its head through a magnificent bowling performance from Rich Stadden.
Bohemians opened with intent as Lee Joyner smashed 32 off 27 deliveries, sharing a swift 55-run opening stand with Rich Davies (24). However, the introduction of Stadden into the attack completely shifted the momentum. Stadden produced a masterclass spell, picking up 5 for 28 from his eight overs. He made the breakthrough by having Joyner caught by Lewis Jefferies, before dismissing Harry Douglas and having Sachin Devarajappa stumped by wicketkeeper Matt Semple in quick succession to leave Bohemians 61 for 3.
Stadden continued to tear through the order, bowling Davies and having Krishan Kumar caught by Ian Semple as the visitors slumped to 85 for 5. Tom Hammond mounted a spirited fightback with a top score of 31 alongside Jake Cox (19), but Jamie Black broke the stand, finishing with 2 for 9. Joe Black then wrapped up the tail, taking 3 for 32 to bowl Bohemians out for 150 in 30.5 overs.
Set 151 for victory, Stoke Gifford set about the chase with composure. Opener Henry Birt played a patient, anchor role with 25 from 76 balls, sharing an opening stand of 29 with Ian Semple (15) and pushing the total towards safety alongside Matt Semple (21). At 67 for 1, the hosts looked comfortably in charge, but Bohemians refused to bow out quietly.
A sudden middle-order tremor saw Nathan Daniels (14 off 11) bowled by Jason John, who then caught Harry Black for a duck off his own bowling. When Birt was run out by John, Stoke Gifford found themselves wobbling at 99 for 5.
Lewis Jefferies and Shabir Azizi (16) provided a crucial calming presence, building a 28-run partnership to carry the team to 127 before Azizi was bowled by Sachin Devarajappa. Tension spiked once more late in the chase when Koteswara Kolluri (2 for 27) struck twice on 147, removing Jamie Franks for 8 and Joe Black for a duck.
With eight wickets down and four runs still needed, Jefferies kept a cool head, remaining unbeaten on 17 alongside Jamie Black to guide Stoke Gifford home to 151 for 8 in 37.2 overs, aided significantly by 35 extras from the visitors.