METHODISTS beat Bath side Hampset 2nds by 70 runs at home in extremely muggy conditions.

After a surprise cloudburst had delayed the start by five minutes, Methodists' opening batsmen Alex Nash and Mark Robinson got their innings off to a rapid start. Capitalising on the frequent scoring opportunities offered up by Hampset's young opening attack, they quickly racked up 76 runs, before first-change bowler James Dorey (1-27) finally snared the dangerous Nash (42).

Robinson (26) fell five overs later to the spin of Jurie Fick (3-4) who, in tandem with Dorey, effectively then put the brakes on the home team's scoring. The hosts were indebted to experienced batters Stuart Green (38*) and keeper Dave Sackett (18) who - thrust together at 97-4 - then knuckled down to build a crucial partnership of 48 in 17 overs, getting the Methodists to a respectable 153-5 at tea.

After the interval, the home side bowled tidily but without much luck, as Ashton Wright (41) and Oscar Costello (17) put on a solid 47 runs in nineteen overs. Finally Costello chipped a catch to Charlotte Hazell at point to give Robinson (2-18) the first wicket, soon followed by a second in the 24th over.

At 60-2 the game could still have gone either way - the visitors, requiring another 94 at a run-a-ball, needing to up the ante - but few would have believed Hampset's chances could have been so swiftly extinguished! Another change of bowling saw an inspired spell from David Baker - skittling the remaining batsmen inside five overs, and claiming an incredible career-best seven wickets for seven runs - as a shell-shocked Hampset were bundled out for just 83.Methodists 153-5 v Hampset 2nds 83 all out

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