Midsomer Norton met Brislington at Withies Lane in a game befitting a top of the table clash. Missing Skipper, Nick Potter, for the first time in nearly four years, stand-in, Nick Pang, won the toss and elected to bat under cloudy skies.
The game didn't begin as planned as both openers, Alex Lear and Nick Cox, fell to the impressive Scholtz (2–27) to leave Norton under the cosh at 11–2. This brought together the ever reliable Martin Cox and the imposing figure of Dean Clifton, who quickly looked to dominate the attack.
After finding their footing, the boundaries started to flow as both passed fifty in quick succession and Norton took a strong grip on the game. With a big score looking likely, a mix-up led to Clifton being run out for 87 when a century beckoned, ending a fantastic partnership of 168 for the third wicket. A weary Cox was then also run out for a fine 78 and suddenly, Norton's innings began to tail off as Brislington fought back admirably. A flurry of wickets followed before a key twenty from James Harvey saw Norton fall just short of maximum batting points on 222–8.
Brislington hoped to get off to a positive start, but Norton's opening bowlers, Andy Cox and Henry Voigt, had other ideas. Bowling exemplary lines with good pace and carry, Brislington were stifled by a fantastic effort, which was continued by Pang and Davis as Brislington struggled to get their run rate above two and over.
The pressure started to tell as wickets began to fall, despite the best efforts of Rhys Grove (55). Martin Cox entered the attack and managed to pick up four scalps and when Brislington sat at 147–8, the game looked all but over. No one expected what followed, however, as Leigh Iles (42 not out) and Paul Hamblin launched an astonishing counter attack.
Hamblin struck three mighty sixes as part of a barnstorming 37 from just eighteen balls. As the tension began to build amongst the large contingent of supporters, Sam Gould stepped up to bowl his first, and the game's last, over. With thirteen needed for victory, the first ball was squeezed for four and Brislington's hopes soared. Gould then proceeded to bowl an exemplary four balls as the batsmen could only scramble twos before a crucial dot ball from the penultimate ball. With five runs needed from the final delivery, Iles could only manage a two as Norton clung on for the victory that had seemed assured only thirty minutes previously. Credit must go to Brislington who fought to the last and, together with the home side, played a fantastic game of cricket.
Norton extend their lead at the summit of the WEPL Bristol/Somerset Division as they travel to Old Bristolians Westbury this Saturday, looking to preserve their unbeaten record this season. Congresbury visit Withies Lane for Saturday's Second XI fixture. The Third XI are away at Oldfield Park. The Sunday Firsts visit Filton Wayfarers while the Sunday Seconds entertain Weston-super-Mare at Withies Lane.