A BRILLIANT innings of 95 from Will Sobczak helped relegation-threatened Ashcott and Shapwick to a vital 52-run victory over Keynsham on Saturday.

Sobczak anchored the Ashcott innings to carry them to 209-9 from their 50 overs, and followed that up with ten economical overs of spin as Keynsham crawled to 157-7 in reply.

Batting first after winning the toss, the visitors started well with Dan Cooper (21) and Will Sobcaak putting on 38 for the first wicket before Cooper was run out backing up for 21 when the ball deflected off the bowler’s boot.

With the Keynsham spinners slowing the scoring rate, Ashcott and Shapwick had reached 78-4 when Freddie Oldfield (18) joined Sobczak in a 50-run partnership.

Sobczak’s scoring rate had increased markedly after reaching his own half-century and, in company with Steve Coppell (22), the pair took the total on to 188 before Sobczak was dismissed for a very well-constructed 95.

A brief flurry from James Hayman (15) enabled the visitors to close with a challenging score 209-9 on the slow wicket.

Keynsham’s innings got off to a bad start as Ben Rudge dismissed both openers before they reached double figures.

Only Daniel Jarman (49) was able to score with any freedom against some tight Ashcott & Shapwick bowling.

But, when he was bowled by Nayan Karmakar (2-22) for 49, the home side were 95-5 and the asking rate was more than seven runs an over.

It was a task that proved well beyond the home side who showed little intent to win the game.

The innings petered out in tame fashion to close on 157-7 after 50 overs to give Ashcott an important victory in their race to avoid relegation.

l On Sunday (August 18), Ashcott & Shapwick face local rivals Glastonbury in the Somerset Major Cup Final at the County Ground, Taunton at 1pm.