CARSONS and Mangotsfield 1st Xl have won the Bristol and District Cricket Association Bateman Cup for the first time since 1994.
The team received a bye in the first round, progressing to meet Stoke Gifford in the quarter-final. Struggling at 52-7, captain Sam Braley took the score to 114-9.
The bowling unit restricted Stoke Gifford to 48 all out, with Sam Wilson taking 4-8.
The semi-final was against Stoke Bishop and whilst initially under the cosh, a flurry of late wickets saw them restrict the opposition to 132.
The run chase was led by Kieran Gallagher, hitting 62 off 45 balls.
When he fell in the 16th over, victory was far from certain. The team lost quick wickets, and seven runs were required off the last over. Vice-captain Craig Woodland and George Sutton managed to eke out the runs to win.
The final was against Stapleton, with Carsons and Mangotsfield opting to bowl first, having won the toss. Stapleton scored a total of 129-3 following several good partnerships.
The run chase was led by openers Tom King and George Britton, who put on 47 for the first wicket in seven overs.
The side lost quick wickets and there was some panic, despite having large club support who had come to watch.
However youth player Ollie Catton, who has been at the club since the age of nine, hit the winning boundary – ensuring pandemonium from the players and supporters.
In the league the 1st Xl are sitting at the top of the table with three games left, but with only a handful of points separating the top three teams.
The crunch game is likely to be the final match against Bristol Aces, who are second.
Meanwhile the 2nd Xl are all but promoted and on the verge of winning the division.
The 3rd team, following a loss of form, need a couple of wins in the final matches to secure their position for next season. The 4th team have had a good season, finishing in the top half of the table.
The Sunday team are also having a mixed season and, like the 3rd Xl, require a couple of victories in their final three games to secure their status.
Ian Coles