Methodists 220–6 Frampton Cotterell 2nds 75 all out

A pleasant afternoon found the Methodists welcoming Frampton Cotterell Seconds to Norton Hill, and the visitors inviting the home side to bat first.

Mark Robinson and David Baker (20) got the innings going with 40 for the second wicket, before Martin Woolley joined Robinson (29) to add another 35 for the third, prior to both men then falling with the score on 90.

Another quick wicket then brought Stuart Green to the middle to join son James, but there were still plenty of runs to be had with a fast outfield and some slightly less accurate bowling allowing the pair to up the tempo of the Methodists’ innings. Ninety-one runs came in the next 14 overs before Stuart (21) was finally stumped by the athletic Adam Walding to give Frampton’s Robin Cater his third wicket – leaving in-form opposite number James Green (74*) three overs to push the final total up to 220–6 at tea.

Following the interval, the visitors’ reply was soon in trouble as Baker (2–20) and Daniel Shearn (2–34) capitalised on some exuberant batting to reduce FC to 32–4. Tim Woods (22) and Skipper Cater (21) then rode their luck to boost the score to 62 by the 18th over, when spinner Craig Eyles entered the attack and put a match that seemed to be heading for a home win beyond the reach of the visitors.

Claiming five wickets for just two runs inside three overs, Eyles quickly put the game to bed, and when Howard Jones dismissed the final man, Frampton Cotterell had lost their last six batsmen for 13 runs in only twenty-six balls.

Daniel Shearn