The Methodists’ final game of the year was the annual season-ending friendly versus Club Captain, Jim Eyles’ invited eleven, at Midsomer Norton Cricket Club.

Asked to bat first, the Methodists’ openers, Alex Nash and Mark Robinson, made the best start of the season so far, putting on 146 for the first wicket. Scoring at almost a-run-a-ball, the pair enjoyed the perfect batting surface and fast outfield, with the pace of Thiaan Aspeling and Josh Rodd (2–53) helping the ball to boundary in a hurry.

But it was the slower bowling which finally broke through – Luke Justin (2–40) eventually bowled Nash for 96 as he attempted to bring up his century with another boundary, while Richard Jordan then accounted for Robinson who was trapped lbw for 39.

Brief cameos from Roger Howe (24), James Green and Dave Sackett took the score to 181 with eight overs to go, before a flurry of shots from Stuart Green (35*) and Craig Eyles (37*) then added a rapid 73, boosting the total to a competitive 254–5 at the break.

After a terrific tea (many thanks to all involved behind the scenes) Jim’s XI also got off to a good start – Aspeling (33) and Wayne Higgins (38) adding a quick 59 before James Sackett (2–41) had them both caught behind by father Dave. Justin (64) and Rodd then added 130 for the third wicket in just fifteen overs to give the hosts the upper hand, before Rodd and Darcey Green edged them closer to their target as the light rapidly faded.

There was just time for Rodd to reach his well-deserved hundred in the final over – the match finally coming to a close with Jim’s team just five runs short of victory, rounding off another very enjoyable afternoon’s cricket.

Daniel Shearn