MIDSOMER Norton Methodists' first home game of the season was almost a local derby as they hosted Hampset 2nds from Bath at a sunny Norton Hill School.

The visitors bowled first, backing their quick youngsters to exploit some early cloud-cover. Will Skardon had the ball darting about awkwardly, testing the Methodists' openers, and soon claimed the first wicket with a peach of a delivery. His second quickly followed, before the accurate Kit Pearson made it 23-3 in the eighth over. Pearson (2-10) then doubled his tally, while another young speedster Harry Hall skittled a fifth batter - the top five now gone, each for single figures!

At 32-5, the Methodists were in dire straits - but fortunately they had the hugely experienced Stuart Green and doughty 'keeper Dave Sackett to repair the damage. The pair dug in, batting for seventeen overs while the score slowly ticked over, their stand of 38 doubling the hosts' total.

Hampset skipper James Boyle eventually prised Sackett out with his spin, before the returning Skardon (4-22) then removed Green (17). Quickly claiming the eighth wicket, he put the Methodists in danger of ignominious collapse at 74-8 - but another solid partnership of 33 from Paul Evans (14) and Daniel Shearn (11*) saw the home team creep to three figures, adding a hint of respectability to the total.

Unfortunately for the hosts, they couldn't replicate Hampset's bowling attack by causing consternation in the visiting batsmen. Openers Matt Hill and Ollie Smith added a patient 24 for the first (and only) wicket, before the impressive Smith (59*) and new man Oscar Costello (23*) carefully guided their side to a comfortable, and comprehensive, nine-wicket victory.

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Scores: M N Methodists 108-9 v Hampset 2nds 109-1.