MIDSOMER Norton Methodists played a strong Whitchurch 2nd XI, currently hovering in the top half of the table - the Methodists themselves occupying bottom place - and the result was a resounding 135-run loss.

Opting to bat, the home side played positively from the off. Young Hayden Williams and opening partner Paul Dury found gaps in the field regularly, and once the ball was through it took some stopping.

Having amassed a run-a-ball 104 for the first wicket, the pair were finally parted in the 17th over when Faisal Mushtaq (1-39) found a way through Williams' defences - sending him back for an excellent 55. Dury, joined by Ian Page, continued to score at the same rate, with the Methodists' bowlers unable to find another breakthrough until 182 was on the board.

David Baker (1-38), aided by some low bounce, ended Page's (32) fun but his replacement Aaron Meszaros added to the visitors' woes by smashing an unbeaten fifty in the time remaining. Dury had, meanwhile, brought up a deserved second century (117*), and Whitchurch had raced to an imposing 266-2 from their 40 overs.

Once more outgunned by the opposition, the Methodists sought to pace their innings and aimed to accumulate more valuable points. David Baker (33) and Martin Hodge (22) put on a handy 56 for the fourth wicket, but Williams followed up his earlier runs with 3-11 and Dave Millard (2-13) teased out a couple more, as the visitors limped past a hundred.

Charlotte Hazell and Darcey Robinson's late partnership helped secure a second batting point - the Methodists finishing on 131-8 - but once again the mismatch between the sides was all too apparent.

Methodists' Ball Sponsor - Mr Keith Greening. Methodists' Player Sponsors - The Dental Implant Clinic, Westsell Packaging, Mulberry, Purple Bricks. Whitchurch 2nds 266-2, Methodists 131-8.