Nailsea completed a very successful weekend handily placed in third spot of the Bristol and District Div 12, with their fate and potential promotion in their own hands. Their final two games are against Whitchurch, who are in second place and a final game against Bristol  Malayalee, who currently sit in fourth. Only a few points separate second to fifth place.

Saturday saw Nailsea asked to bat, on a good home track against visitors Bedminster.

Gary Phippen and Mike Ready got the home side off to a good start, adding 35, before Phippen fell for 21.

That dismissal brought Jamie Elswood to the crease. Returning to cricket after a couple of seasons away, Elswood showed he has lost none of his undoubted ability, as he and Ready added a superb 168 for the second wicket.

With a large total assured, both batsmen selflessly chased quick runs and both were to fall for 90 apiece.

Ryan Orr added a quick 16 and Tony Hill and Pete Hardcastle saw Nailsea conclude on a challenging 250 for 4 from their 40 overs.

After the break, Bedminster started cautiously, with Steve Lester contributing a very nice early spell of 5 overs for just 7 runs, including a couple of wickets.

The introduction of spin twin Ian Sherreard ( 3 -17 ) and veteran pace bowler Richard Billows, with a six over spell for just 3 runs, kept the middle overs very tight.

Tony Hill then got in on the act with his left arm spin, taking 3 wickets for 2 runs in four overs, effectively ending Bedminster’s challenge.

With Jack Smith ( 1-35 ) and James Baber ( 1-19 ) returning to finish off the tail, Nailsea were to run out comfortable winners, by 156 runs, as Bedminster were dismissed for 96.

Another fine all round team effort, leaving the side with all to play for.

Nailsea First team travelled to Old Park on Saturday, hoping to continue their move for promotion back up the leagues.

Before heavy rain concluded proceedings with the home side struggling on 114 for 8 from 34 overs, Nailsea had seen excellent spells from Jack Smith, conceding just 21 from his 8 overs and Ian Sherreard with 2 for 23 from 5 overs at the top of the Old Park innings. Skipper Mike Ready then destroyed the home side’s middle order taking 4 for 11 in 7 overs.

With Ryan Lester taking 1 for 24 and tidy spells from Alan Rogerson and James Baber all adding to the pressure, the heavy rain that was to arrive left Nailsea frustrated and wet.

Despite the disappointment, Nailsea closed the gap on all the sides above them, collecting 10 points, and with the last three weeks of fixtures to come, there is a real chance of a thrilling end to the season. Next week, Nailsea entertain Bedminster at The Grove.

On Sunday 15th August, Nailsea will be hosting an all day Dynamos tournament with 8 teams competing for a brand new trophy.

The tournament comes on the back of the hugely successful All Stars and Dynamos sessions the club has been running throughout the season.

Games start at 10 am and there will be a BBQ running all day, as well as a full bar service from The Grove Sports Centre.

Nailsea continued their winning ways with a five wicket victory over Brislington at The Grove on Saturday.

Nailsea skipper Pete Hardcastle won the toss and asked the visitors to bat on a warm afternoon, with the ground looking a picture.

Opening bowler Mat Beadle made the initial breakthrough, assisted by a superb diving catch from keeper Rob Lange and with Hardcastle then removing the second Brislington opener thanks to another fine effort from Beadle, the scene was set for the Nailsea bowlers to take control of the innings.

The introduction of ‘spin twins’ Ian Sherrard ( 8 overs, 2-12 ) and Alan Rogerson ( 1-26 ) kept things tight and with a miserly spell from Steve Lester, six overs for just 11 runs adding to the pressure, it was left to Steven Spencer with 3-5 to wrap up the Brislington innings for just 68.

Hardcastle finished with 1-6 and Mat Beadle 1-8. All the bowlers were aided by some fine catching.

In reply, Nailsea made a sticky start to the chase, losing Gary Phippen to a leaping catch in the covers. Ryan Orr and Andy Caine both looked in good touch, but once they and David McIlroy had fallen with just 21 on the board, the task at hand took on a slightly more challenging perspective.

However, both Rob Lange, with 18 and Hardcastle, with a belligerent 28 not out, looked to finish the game in a hurry, adding 50 in 5 overs.

Despite losing Lange, Nailsea coasted home without further drama, collecting 17 useful points.

With four weeks remaining, Nailsea are now handily placed and promotion is a distinct possibility. Next week Nailsea visit Old Park.

Nailsea travelled to league leaders Stapleton, hoping to pull off a surprise in this weekend’s encounter.

Having decided to take first use of batting conditions, Nailsea got away to a sound start, with openers Mike Ready (29) and Gary Phippen (14) adding exactly 50 for the first wicket.

However, once they fell, wickets began to fall at regular intervals, as batters got starts, but were unable to build meaningful partnerships.

Ryan Lester added 10, Rob Lange 16, and skipper Pete Hardcastle 26, but it took useful contributions from David McIlroy with 15 and Mat Beadle with 17 not out to get Nailsea to a reasonable 155 for 8 from their 40 overs.

In reply, Stapleton also got off to a useful start.

It took the introduction of Al Rogerson (1-21) to make the initial breakthrough thanks to a Steve Lester catch, but despite ringing the changes, Nailsea could not make inroads into the Stapleton batting.

Hardcastle joined the attack late on and took two quick wickets, as he finished with 2-18, aided by catches from Tony Hill and Rob Lange but those were to be the only successes as the hosts ran out 7 wicket winners.

Next week sees Nailsea host Oldfield Park, hoping to reverse the fortunes from the earlier meeting between the two sides.

Nailsea came away from their trip to Old Down with a well earned victory.

Once skipper Rob Lange had lost the toss, Nailsea were asked to bat in overcast conditions.

The Nailsea innings was to be dominated by Ryan Lester, continuing his recent good form.

In what was to be a low scoring affair, his 62, from just 56 deliveries, was to prove the crucial difference between the teams. After early wickets, only Ryan Orr, with a patient 12 and Tony Hill, with 15, made it into double figures, as Nailsea closed on a slightly disappointing 138.

In reply, after losing an early wicket to Mike Rowcliffe, ( 1-18 ), Old Down made steady progress and at 40 for 1, looked well placed in their pursuit of the target.

However, from that point onward, Nailsea’s bowlers were to prove too good for their opponents.

Jack Smith started the rot with 3-8 from 5 overs and with Ryan Lester sealing a fine all round performance, by adding 3 – 31 to his vital runs, Old Down’s middle order was blown away.

With Ian Sherreard returning to pick up 3 -24, the innings concluded with Old Down all out for 97, leaving Nailsea winners by 41 runs. Another good performance from the Nailsea team, who entertain Abbots Leigh next weekend at The Grove.