A BEAUTIFUL September afternoon found the Methodists at Midsomer Norton CC for their season-closing friendly versus Club Captain Jim Eyles' invited XI.

The Eyles XI got first use of the excellent pitch, Chris Dunn immediately finding his touch and also the boundary. After losing an early wicket, Dunn (31) and new partner Martin Blackmore added 29 runs for the second, until both were dismissed in quick succession - by the zippy Faisal Mushtaq and naggingly accurate Paul Evans respectively.

Charlotte Hazell (3-26) struck twice in an over, before then snaring a counter-attacking Sam Bowery (19), putting Jim's side in some peril at 80-6. But fortunately Simon Howlett and former Methodists regular Ish Fairoz then asserted themselves, virtually doubling the score during their productive stand. Young Azlaan Faisal bowled a very impressible short spell, but it was Craig Eyles who made the next breakthrough - Howlett (27) finally chipping to square leg, just after Ish had retired upon reaching his fifty.

Beth Aspeling (28*) added some valuable late runs with her skipper Stuart Green, but Daniel Shearn (2-23) and the dependable Evans (2-31) eventually wrapped the innings up - the Eyles XI posting 196 from 35.2 overs.

After the players and a large crowd of spectators had partaken of a sumptuous buffet tea (all proceeds - £700+ at time of writing - going to the charity BLISS, supporting their work with premature babies), the Methodists' openers - Mark Robinson and the returning Alex Nash - set about chasing down their target.

A run-a-ball partnership of 83 set a great foundation, before Robinson (33) mistimed one off spinner Logan Eyles, and Nash then dutifully retired having reached fifty. A Bowery long-distance run-out and a wicket of his own in Martin Hodge's first over had the visitors 120-3, but Faisal Mushtaq (25) and Meths' captain James Green (53 ret) then took them almost to the finish line, their 62 run stand leaving the rest a formality.

The Methodists clinched a six-wicket win with seven overs to spare, but - for the happy spectators, on a sunny Saturday evening - cricket was the real winner . . . A big thank you to all who once again made the day such an enjoyable occasion!

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

JAH Eyles XI 196 all out v Methodists 199-4.