AMALJITH K Uthaman’s reward for bowling straight was to hit the stumps eight times, finishing with magnificent figures of 8-30 as Bristol New Eleven stretched their 100 per cent record to six outings following a 35-run home defeat of United Banks 2nds in Division Nine East of the Martin Berrill Sports Bristol & District League.
The left-arm seamer ended the day with the best return of the summer so far in one of the biggest leagues in the country.
He bagged four wickets in a sensational first over, had his five-for in the bag by the end of his second over – and could have claimed a ninth but for a dropped catch!
Uthaman’s devastating spell left Banks, requiring 245 off their 40, on the ropes and seemingly staring defeat in the face.
But Gurjeet Singh (109) and Aditya Gandhi (50) rebuilt the innings with a memorable partnership which came close to completing an unlikely win before both also fell to straight deliveries, completing an extremely unusual and rare full score card of batters being bowled.
Another team six from six are Senior Division leaders Frenchay who crushed Claverham by nine wickets after skittling the North Somerset side for just 75.
Winterbourne made it four successive wins to move up to second, trumping local rivals Coalpit Heath by 80 runs with Lewis Ford claiming 4-29 from nine.
Division Two pacesetters Shirehampton held on for a three-run home victory against Hampset, opener Chris Van Os top scoring on 80.
United Banks lost their unbeaten record in Division Five, slipping up by five runs at home to Bristol Aces to leave the two sides tied on the same number points at the top of the table.
Jophin Reji hit 87 for Aces in their challenge of 233 while Dan Lockwood’s 71 and 47 from Gagan Singh proved to be in vain for Banks.
One of the innings of the day came in Division Eight East with opener Fraser Butt cracking 159 off 84 (24 fours, 4 sixes) for Stapleton 3rds who eased past Bitton 2nds by 252 runs.
And in Division Seven East, Israfiel Farooq and Suleman Sikandar put on 215 for the opening wicket for Pak Bristolians who went on to overcome their Hampset counterparts by 134 runs.
Farooq was dismissed for 137 (21 fours, one six) and Sikandar’s 102 off 74 included seven fours and eight sixes.