Midsomer Norton enjoyed a profitable trip to Minehead last Saturday as they continued their winning ways.
Surprisingly, inserted on a dry looking pitch, Pang immediately set the tone and raced out of the blocks, peppering the boundary as Norton flew to fifty inside eight overs. His stroke play was cut short, however, when he picked out the midwicket fielder. Martin Cox’s run of big scores was not to be continued as he edged behind early on. Mosena and Lear looked settled until Lear picked out long on, who made good ground to just get his fingers under the ball. Dean Clifton started well, before falling victim to a second unfortunate decision in as many weeks, given out LBW despite an inside edge that was missed by the umpire. Cox and Mosena were watchful in defence, but Nick Cox mistimed a leading edge back to the bowler and Norton were in trouble at 102–5. Mosena dropped anchor, taking any singles that were on offer and putting a high price on his wicket. Captain Potter made things look much easier at his end. Quickly into his stride, he led a great counter punch, running well and pushing Norton towards 200. He and Mosena both passed fifty as Potter stepped on the accelerator. Mosena holed out to deep mid-wicket and, as Norton’s lower order gave up their wickets in the final two overs in search of quick runs, they finished on 249–9, Potter unbeaten with a sparkling 77.
Looking to prey on the ghosts of Minehead’s collapse at Frome, Norton were soon in the wickets as Sam Gould bagged two in his first over. Nick Cox was soon into the attack with plenty of spin on offer and he too bagged a wicket. Nick Pang made it a double spin threat and the procession continued as Minehead slipped to 89–5. Norton were made to work for the sixth wicket as Buchanan and Bowditch dragged Minehead back into the game, both offering some powerful shots to keep the rate ticking over. It was the introduction of Hampshire that made the difference, with the breakthrough following a fantastic piece of work from Harvey behind the stumps as he whipped off the bails with Bowditch out of his ground. After that the wickets soon tumbled, as Hampshire and Martin Cox scythed through the lower order to wrap up the innings for 164, leaving Norton impressive winners.
Currently fourth in the table, Norton welcome Knowle to Withies Lane this Saturday. The Seconds travel to Bristol YMCA and the Thirds play host to Hampset. The Sunday Seconds visit Hanham.
Charlie Matthews