METHODISTS entertained Brislington 3rds in a very close match that went down to the wire - with the visitors eventually triumphing by two wickets..

Batting first, the home side lost a couple of early wickets to the bowling of Louis Dunn and Adrian Robbins (2-24), but Alex Nash and James Green were able to add a useful 39 runs in ten overs. Lively spells from Tom Turner and Dhayalan Jayamaran (2-24) then saw the hosts' middle-order failing to fire - Nash seemingly the only batsman at ease at the crease.

At 97-6 in the 24th over, things were looking shaky for the batting side, but Nash found a willing partner in the doughty Logan Eyles. Their valuable stand of 64 gave the Methodists' total a healthier look, and allowed Nash (102) to post his third century in a month. However, the introduction of spinner Neil Peacock (3-0) brought the innings to a juddering halt - the last four wickets snaffled up in just 15 eventful deliveries!

After tea - at which, ball sponsors The Pudding Kitchen offered a delicious selection of cakes - the visitors seemed intent in chasing down their target in a hurry. Early wickets for Green (3-45) and Daniel Shearn (2-22) saw Bris slump to 22-4 in the fifth over, but Peacock (43) and Ben Sharp (53) continued to unleash expansive shots, wresting the momentum back again. They added a quick 49, before Peacock and George Hayes (36*) then put on a crucial 81 runs, giving them a sight of victory. A late twist saw Ish Fairoz (2-19) end their partnership, and another brace of batsmen fell cheaply, but Robbins rode his luck to clinch the away win, with just one over and two wickets to spare.

Methodists 162, Brislington 3rds 165-8

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