Stoke Gifford 1st XI 118 all out lost to Golden Hill CC 5th XI 119/3 by 7 wickets
A superb all-round individual display from Shabir Azizi was not quite enough to prevent Stoke Gifford 1st XI slipping to a seven-wicket defeat at home against Golden Hill 5th XI in Eighth Division North.
Winning the toss and choosing to bat first at home, Stoke Gifford suffered a nightmare start. The visitors struck early and ruthlessly with the new ball, as Pete Dempsey (2-16) and Harry Tolfree (2-19) combined to remove Matt Semple, Henry Birt, and Ian Semple, leaving the hosts reeling at 7 for 3.
Lewis Jefferies spearheaded the initial counter-attack, striking two boundaries and a maximum in a lively 27 from 27 deliveries, while Sam Horner played a composed, patient knock of 23 off 59 balls to help steady the ship. When Jefferies was bowled by Ben Davis at 50 for 4, and Dave Stubbs fell an addition later, Azizi took charge. Batting with real authority and intent, Azizi launched two sixes and struck seven fours in an unbeaten 51 off 60 deliveries. However, Davis proved lethal for the visitors, ripping through the lower order to finish with figures of 4 for 17. Stoke Gifford slipped rapidly from 97 for 5 to 101 for 9 before the final wicket fell on 118 in the 32nd over, stranding Azizi at the crease.
Defending a modest total of 118, Stoke Gifford needed early inroads, but Golden Hill’s opening pair of Martin Allen and Tom Burgess laid a solid platform. Azizi carried his batting form straight into his bowling, breaking the 44-run opening partnership by having Allen caught by Jamie Franks for 22, before bowling Burgess for 12 with the score on 66.
Callum Middleton anchored the remainder of the chase with a positive, unbeaten 44 from 46 balls. Though Ian Semple earned a breakthrough with the dismissal of Krish Manesh (22), caught by Harry Black at 110 for 3, the visitors reached their target of 119 for 3 in the 23rd over.
While the result did not go Stoke Gifford’s way, Azizi’s magnificent unbeaten fifty and two-wicket haul provided plenty of cheer on a challenging afternoon.