BRADLEY STOKE 3rds 114 all-out MIDSOMER NORTON METHODISTS 119 all-out
In a week full of improbable sporting comebacks, the Methodists dug deep to claim an unlikely five-run victory away at Bradley Stoke Thirds.
Asked to bat first, the first three Methodists batsmen got off the mark with a boundary, but each in turn then fell victim to the excellent bowling of Siva Karteek Bolisetti (3-22) while still in single figures.
At 23-for-3, David Baker joined Craig Eyles in the middle, the pair seeing off Bolisetti and adding 38 runs for the fourth wicket. Shaun Grant (2-27) then removed both Baker (20) and Eyles (28) either side of the drinks break as the visitors lost a further three wickets in the space of seven overs.
Skipper, Stuart Green (22*), and the lower order managed to nudge the total past the hundred-mark, but regular losses meant that by the 36th over, last batter Darcey Green was at the crease. Father and daughter added seven crucial runs for the final wicket before George Malin (2-14) wrapped things up with the total on 119.
After tea, Bradley Stoke found scoring difficult, with accurate bowling by Daniel Shearn and James Sackett limiting them to just thirteen runs from ten overs. Saeed Hussain and John Rivers then began to up the tempo, adding 36 runs before Saeed (31) was removed at the halfway stage.
The game still favoured the home side, needing just three-an-over to win, but excellent bowling from Baker (3-20) and Stuart Green (4-21), backed up by great work in the field, meant that, despite Rivers’ valiant knock of 39 not-out, the hosts ran out of batsmen with fourteen balls remaining – their last seven wickets falling for 39 runs in ten overs.
Next week: Methodists vs Grendel at home.
Daniel Shearn