Last Saturday’s weather might have been a bit gloomier than we have

become used to, but three wins for Midsomer Norton Cricket Club’s Senior sides helped brighten things up.

Norton’s First XI travelled to Weston-super-Mare where the home side won the toss and decided to bat. The visitors could not have got off to a much better start with Gary Filer (2–12) dismissing both opening bats in his first three overs – the first to depart was Somerset player, Kasey Aldridge.

Weston consolidated for a short spell, but Thomas Hankins (2–29) then struck to take wickets in consecutive overs which left the home side 48–4 before the end of the twentieth over. Only Ryan Davies (83) made a significant score for the home side before he was run out. Weston batted out their overs to finish on 182–9. The other wickets went to Josh Sutton and Jake Rowe.

The run chase did not begin well and Norton were 14–2 before the end of the third over, then 53–4 before the close of the thirteenth over. Jake Rowe (35) was the first of the batsmen to put pressure on the home side but the score was 100–6 when he left the crease with Norton still well short of the target.

Dan Nolan (29) and Josh Sutton (37) continued the good work and Nick Cox (20 not out) and Mitchell Turner saw Norton home to a two-wicket victory in the 41st over.

The thirty extras conceded by the home side proved costly. Norton’s fourth straight win lifts them to second spot in the league table. This Saturday, the First XI are at home to Ilminster.

At Withies Lane, Norton’s Seconds enjoyed a convincing eighty run win over Bohemians. Put in by the visitors, Norton lost early wickets but half centuries for Harrison Veale and Chris Hampshire helped Norton reach 204–6 in their forty overs.

The Bohemians’ batting never got going and they were dismissed for 124. There were wickets for Max Bartlett, Alex Davis, Harrison Veale and Charlotte Phillips. The Second XI travel to Almondsbury on Saturday.

Norton’s Third XI completed the hat trick of victories by beating Thornbury by three wickets. The visitors won the toss and decided to bat. All out for 142, wickets fell to Melvin Lawrence, Flynn Carter, George Fuller, Matthew Edwards, Oliver Cassidy and Nick Potter. Seb Gianella (23) and Nick Potter (65 not out) were Norton’s leading run scorers. This week, the Thirds play Coalpit Heath away.

Charlie Matthews