Methodists 112 all out vs Winterbourne 4ths 184–8

The latest league game saw the Methodists welcoming top-of-the-table Winterbourne Fourths to Norton Hill, and the visitors electing to bat first.

Their innings began in the worst fashion as they lost two wickets in the first seven balls, but after that wobble, Alex Duncan and Sheraz Raja Muhammad spent the following 18 overs building a stand of 79 for the third wicket.

Sheraz was finally dismissed for a classy 44 by Craig Eyles, before Mark Robinson (3–45) caused a mini-collapse concluding with the wicket of Duncan for 62 – the score now on 111–5. Fortunately for the visitors, Dharmesh Patel (24) and James Labuschagne (24*) were able to cut loose during the last five overs, boosting Winterbourne’s total to a competitive 184 for 8 at tea.

The Methodists started their reply with the modest ambition of reaching three-figures, given the superior nature of the visitors’ bowling attack, but this quickly seemed a long way off as the pacy Labuschagne and Jason Cowan soon had the home side reeling at 14 for 4.

Some overs later – with the score now 44 for 6 – David Baker (who had earlier retired injured) returned to the middle to join James Green, and the pair had put on another 38 runs by the time Green was caught for 44. Baker and James Sackett added a further 25 to take the Methodists past the hundred mark, before eventually Baker (44) was last man out in the final over – Winterbourne wrapping up a comfortable 72-run victory to keep their promotion bid on track.

The Methodists are home to Bristol Uni Staff Seconds on July 3rd.

Daniel Shearn