AFTER another week without rain, tenth-place Midsomer Norton Methodists hosted third-place Carsons & Mangotsfield 2nds at a parched Norton Hill School - and the result was a crispy seven-run home victory!

Asked to bat, the home side scored quickly from the off - taking advantage of the lightning-fast outfield and some slightly erratic bowling. Despite losing David Baker (15) early on, the Methodists' hundred was brought up in double-quick time as Mark Robinson and the eye-catching Faisal Mushtaq (36) took full toll of anything loose.

Scoring then slowed as Carsons' attack began to exercise some control - Jamie McDowall (2-28) adding to George Clatworthy's (2-50) earlier brace of wickets. Keeper Stuart Green (19*) had joined Robinson (52) to add a steady 28 in ten overs, but late breakthroughs for Ben Child, Tom Garland and Max Clark kept a lid on the scoring - the home side limited to a modest, but potentially defendable, 168-8 at tea.

After the break, an incredible start saw Carsons' keeper/skipper departing first ball and wickets kept falling at regular intervals, keeping the match in the balance all the way. Surviving opener Jack O'Hara anchored the innings, playing assuredly as batting partners came and went, but at 65-5, the visitors looked up against it.

A handy 59 in nine overs with James King (24) saw them hit their way back into contention, but another flurry of wickets - including the valiant O'Hara (58) - then put the game back up for grabs. Late runs from Garland (23*) seemed to be winning it for Carsons, but in a dramatic late twist, Simon Howlett's two wickets in four balls handed the Methodists an unexpected but very welcome win! Methodists 168-8, Carsons & Mangotsfield 2nds 161 all out.

Methodists' Ball Sponsor - The Norman Family; Methodists' Player Sponsors - The Dental Implant Clinic, Westsell Packaging, Mulberry, Purple Bricks.