Midsomer Norton fell to consecutive defeats for the first time in nearly three years, as an uncharacteristically lacklustre bowling performance saw them unable to defend a below-par score on a beautiful day at Withies Lane.
Upon winning the toss, Captain, Nick Potter, had no hesitation in having first use of a great-looking pitch that looked to hold plenty of runs. Following an initially slow start, openers Harvey and Lear began to hit their stride and started to find the gaps. As the score passed fifty, it was a surprise when Lear fell, caught at slip for an, until that point, untroubled 38. Martin Cox strode to the crease, looking to add to his season's aggregate total and did so in fine fashion, crafting a key innings yet again and leading Norton to a solid total. James Harvey fell to a sharp return catch for 32 and brother, Jon, made an efficient 25, working well with Cox before two quick wickets slowed the run rate. Potter once again showed his grit, running well and hitting boundaries to finish unbeaten on 45. However, with Cox falling for 74, Norton were unable to fully capitalise on the final overs, finishing on 237–5, a total that fell short on a very good, flat wicket.
Norton knew that a tight start was needed. The exact opposite resulted as the always dangerous Coombes took little risk in dispatching some wayward bowling, helped by an inability to bowl one side of the wicket. It was not until the introduction of Sam Gould, impressing at times again, that the first wicket fell, that of Wenham (16) who helped Coombes set the platform. O'Brian (72) arrived and picked up where Wenham left off, adding some beautiful cover drives and making the chase seem untroubled. Coombes fell, for a match-winning 78, to an outstanding diving catch by Jon Harvey behind the stumps. Hobson and O'Brian took Bishopston to the brink of victory, before Norton grabbed two quick wickets to earn an extra bonus point. Bishopston cruised home for the loss of four wickets in the 42nd over. Norton will look to stop the slump as they travel to another batting friendly track, away at Taunton, with some improvement with the ball required.
This Saturday, as the First XI travel to Taunton, the Second XI take on Winsley at Withies Lane and the Third XI play Bath at Somervale.