By Eric Woodmason

SAM BIRCH produced a bowling master-class as Frocester beat Keynsham by eight runs in the first-round of the Royal London National Club knock-out.

Birch bagged four wickets for just 16 runs from nine overs after Frocester had posted 151 for nine from 45 overs.

Earlier, captain Nick Trainor lost the toss and Frocester were invited to bat on an exacting batting strip.

However, Sam Bracey and Uzi Quereshi, fresh from playing a winter season in Melbourne, made a great start with 41 runs coming from the first eight overs.

But both fell in quick succession and with Tom Wand and Louis Gegg quickly back in the pavilion, Frocester slumped to 77 for four.

Paul Muchall and Trainor batted sensibly to repair the damage, with a partnership of 40, but with the score at 117 for four, Muchall was bowled for 22.

Trainor then had to nurse the tail through the final overs, but none of the remaining batsmen could reach double figures.

Trainor top-scored with 33, but was bowled with the total at 143 for eight and the tail took the final total to 151 for nine from 45 overs.

In reply, Muchall picked up an early wicket, but the Keynsham top order, with skipper Dan Jarman leading the way with 51, grafted their way towards the Frocester total.

However, Trainor’s men bowled and fielded well and the Keynsham run-rate struggled to reach 2.5 per over.

Nevertheless, they reached 102 for four from 35 overs, but the pitch was ideal for Birch and he produced a match-winning spell as Keynsham slumped to 116 for seven, but, George Stone (19) kept their hopes alive, but the target was just too much and they finished on 143 for nine.

In the next round, Frocester now face Bristol, who defeated Cheltenham.

This match takes place at Pounds Close on Sunday, May 8, following the first league match against Taunton St Andrews, also at Pounds Close.