Despite threats of thunderstorms and local downpours, the Methodists’ game at Long Ashton amazingly survived the weather.

Opting to bat first in drizzly conditions, the home team got a decent start, losing only two wickets as they reached 47 after ten overs. Some great bowling from Mark Robinson and Craig Eyles (3–26) kept the batsmen in check during the middle period – Jon Ball (29) and Alex Goodland (28) making sure Long Ashton were still ticking things over, but a flurry of wickets in the nineties put the visitors back in the ascendency. James Walkerdine (22*), Caleb Ball and Will Hughes then scampered some important late runs to get the hosts’ total up to 165–8 from their scheduled 38 overs.

After the break, with conditions having dried up, the Methodists’ innings got off to a good start – 63 –1 on the board after ten overs. Alex Nash (37) and David Baker (59) took the score to 75 before Nash was dismissed by the accurate bowling of Sean Walters (1–27), but Baker and Stuart Green then added another 49 for the third wicket to put the visitors in a strong position. Hughes (2–33) then struck twice in consecutive overs, removing Baker and the dangerous Eyles, but Green (25) got the Methodists to within sight of the win before Goodland eventually ended his knock. Fortunately, the experienced Martin Woolley and Dave Sackett were on hand to see the side to victory in the final over by a comfortable five-wicket margin.

Methodists’ next game: Bradley Stoke Thirds (home) 31st July. D. Shearn