Saltford were always likely to come away with a win, given their 243-run victory the last time these two sides met – the question would be, by how many?
Having won the toss, the home side elected to bat first and, after getting their eye in, openers Alex Parsons and Wes Taynton soon began peppering the boundary.
Their mammoth, thirty-over stand of 263 saw them hit the Methodists’ bowling attack to all parts, but the visitors stuck at their task and eventually, Martin Woolley was able – with the help of Josh Potter – to end the fun of the now tiring Taynton after a thumping innings of 128.
Parsons kept going though, now joined by Jamie Pattimore (52*) and the pair were able to add another 110 in the final ten overs – the remaining opener reaching tea on a magnificent 172 not out as Saltford posted a whopping 373 for 1.
After the break, the Methodists set out to see how far they could get... Things didn’t look good early on as two quick wickets were lost before double-figures were reached, but the reliable pairing of Alex Nash (36) and Stuart Green (23) were able to halt the slide with 46 runs for the fourth wicket. Green and ‘keeper, Dave Sackett, then got the visitors past the hundred mark before further resistance from the lower order was able to bring up the 150. The last pairing of Jez Rideout and Jim Eyles then saw out the final nine overs to deny their hosts the final wicket and provide some consolation for the Methodists. The final margin of victory? A mere 211 runs this time...
Daniel Shearn