MIDSOMER Norton Methodists hosted Bristol Asians - their first meeting in early May having sadly been abandoned due to rain - and went down to a 98-run defeat .

Before the game, prolific batter and skipper Alex Nash - now living some distance away - announced it would be his last game for the Methodists. Over 13 seasons he scored 9000+ runs for the club (20 centuries, highest score 211*) and took 85 wickets, 130 catches and effected 43 run-outs - some mighty big boots to fill. Thanks again Alex!

Getting back to the game, the Methodists' bowlers kept it tight at the start, Paul Evans and Daniel Shearn (2-18) restricting Asians to just 44 runs from their first 16 overs. But keeper/batsman Sunny Khalid was now throwing the kitchen sink at everything, creating his own highlights package as he boosted the score through 100 after 24 overs and - amid a flurry of fours and sixes - surging past 200 in the 35th.

Khalid (91) was eventually dismissed by Stuart Green (2-46) but, following his lead, Moin Afzal (38) and Zeeshan Sadiq (26*) also let loose - the visitors posting a hefty 235-8 after such quiet beginnings.

After the break, there was to be no fairytale ending as Nash's final innings lasted just three balls - Zeeshan (2-16) striking twice in the first over of the Methodists' reply.

Recovering from this shocking start, Simon Howlett (56) batted well, adding 50 for the fourth wicket with Logan Eyles, before posting his maiden fifty for the club. Useful lower-order runs from Evans (14) and James Sackett (21) did ensure the home side reached three-figures, but one couldn't deny it had been a very Sunny afternoon for the visitors!

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