Another hot afternoon saw Keynsham asking the Methodists to bat first on a hard, dry Fry’s wicket. The home team conceded several early boundaries to Alex Nash, before Dave Burston struck in the fifth over, precipitating a mini-collapse of the visitor’s batting from 29-0 to 47-4 in the space of just eight overs.
Methodists’ Captain, James Green, and father, Stuart, then rescued the situation with some calm and steady batting, and brought the team back into the game. The pair added 114 runs in 28 overs to earn some important bonus points and give the Meths a target they had a chance of defending – James finishing unbeaten on fifty with Stuart just behind on 43 not-out, as the Norton side posted a decent 161-4 at tea.
After both sides had watched England’s footballers overcoming Sweden, Keynsham set about chasing down their target. They had to work quite hard for the victory at times though, as wickets fell regularly and the visitors gamely stuck to their task well in the baking conditions. James Green was again in the thick of the action as he claimed an early run-out before coming on to bowl, picking up 3-24 with his slow right-armers.
Fortunately for the home side, their number included the experience of Rich Pannell, who followed up his rapid bowling spell with a classy 67 not-out. Seemingly picking the gaps at will, he guided Keynsham to safety in the penultimate over to secure a four-wicket win and keep the hosts firmly at the top of the table.
Next week the Methodists play YMCA Thirds at home.
Daniel Shearn