Despite restricting Twyford to just 146 in their 40 overs, Cleeve CC’s 2nd XI were unable to manage any meaningful partnerships as they lost their first game of the 2024 campaign by 46 runs.

Stand-in captain Stuart Williams asked Twyford to bat first and opening spells from Tom Baughan and Freddie Basnett were, for the most part, unplayable and unlucky to only take one wicket, with Basnett profiting from the early Cleeve pressure in the fourth over, removing Wyse for six with Twyford at 10-1.

37 runs later, Basnett took a low catch at cover as Murphy went for 15, as Grubb, 1-32 from five overs, chalked up his scalp for the day in the 16th.

A change to Cam Elswood’s pace bowling removed Dawes as as Phil Gostlin took an easy catch, a relief as the batter had survived a drop off the previous ball.

Opie and Carroll completed Elswood’s three wicket count off seven overs, to make his figures for the day 3-26, as keeper Alfie Parsons held the first and Baughan made good ground in the deep to secure the second.

Under-15 player Oli Freeman, 1-18 from five overs, had Gordon-Nippress caught by Grubb for one before Alex Soch, four overs for eight runs, bowled Richards for no score with Twyford at 97-7 in the 27th over.

Robbie Wilsher was unsuccessful in his four overs for 24 runs, as the returning Baughan picked up his only wicket by castling Anderson during an impressive 8 over spell where he conceded just 10 runs.

Basnett picked up his 2nd scalp as Parsons caught his second to remove Gorree at 136-9 before Twyford’s tail end saw out the remaining overs to post 146 runs for the full 40 overs.

As the sun disappeared, Cleeve needed a strong start but lost veteran Gostlin, bowled for five, with Parsons soon caught for the same score.

The wickets tumbled at regular intervals with Grubb, who was bowled for 27, and Baughan caught for 22, the only two making double figures.

Cleeve were eventually all out for 100 in the 28th over with the batsmen not being able to capitalise on a good bowling performance earlier on.

Disappointment all round for this young Cleeve side, experiencing a league loss for the first time this season but they remain firmly at the top of the Division Eight West table by 37 points.

A gap week follows due to Clevedon 3rds dropping out of the league so the squad’s next encounter will be on the 29th June away to Hallen.