Claverham just failed to be devils advocate against title chasing Hanham

in the Bristol & North Somerset 1st Division.

A worn batting surface prompted skipper Roger Hooper to make first use of

the wicket, though hopes of a challenging total receded early doors with

the dismissal of the dangerous Paul Bird for 6. Some unorthodox umpiring

decisions coupled with a superb spell of bowling by Richard Edwards (4-13)

kept Claverham's runs in check. Atul (21) and veteran Roger Copeland (17)

briefly rallied the cause, while the fast improving Russell Cox provided

further evidence of his allrounder status with a gutsy late 15.

135 looked about 30 too short, though Claverham made Hanham work hard for

every run. A miserly spell of guile and vision by Rich Coombes (1-26)

coupled with as on many occasions this season an excellent spell of swing

bowling by Roger Hooper (4-22), turned the screw on the leaders.

With Hanham's key batsman now back in the shed at 94 for 6 the impetus was

with the visitors. But like the champions elect they are Hanham kept

going, held their nerve and took victory with 3 overs to spare.