Methodists 248–4 v Winford OC 120 all out

The Methodists welcomed Winford Old Cathedralians on a hot afternoon at Norton Hill, and after winning the toss, elected to bat first.

Alex Nash got the home side off to a flyer as Winford’s bowlers initially struggled to find their rhythm, pummelling a half century by the 11th over and going on to make a punchy 83 in a stand of 119, before eventually being caught off Paresh Mhamunkar in the 19th over.

Nash’s opening partner, Mark Robinson, had meanwhile played second fiddle, but now began to find the boundary more often – adding 32 with Stuart Green and then another 87 runs with Methodist skipper, James Green, for the fourth wicket. Robinson was finally removed for 69 in the last over by Akshay Mane, but Green (41*) was able to shepherd the team to an imposing 248–4 at tea.

After the break, Winford made a steady start with Tony Samuels and Alex Morrison (20) putting on 29, but were soon in trouble as Daniel Shearn (3–16) removed the top three batsmen.

Sazeed Parvej (40) and Navjit Singh (24) then built a solid partnership for the fourth wicket, but Simon Howlett (4–31) plugged away and finally dismissed both batsmen to end the visitors’ slim hopes of achieving victory.

The wily off-spin of Craig Eyles (3–20) was then enough to tease out the final three batters by the end of the 32nd over – Winford posting 120 all out, giving the Methodists the win by the margin of 128 runs.

Methodists’ next fixture: Long Ashton Seconds (Away) this Saturday, 24th July. Daniel Shearn