BRISLINGTON CC 1st XI (205-6) MIDSOMER NORTON CC 1st XI (151-7)

As collapses go, Midsomer Norton had one of the bigger ones in falling to a rain-affected, Duckworth-Lewis defeat at Brislington, last Saturday. Cruising towards what seemed like an easy enough victory, a weakened Norton side’s middle order crumbled as a move back to the top of the table seemed imminent.

Chasing 206 for victory, after a decent bowling effort, Norton were in good shape with Ben Strang and Nick Cox at the crease. With the score at 120-2, and rain forecast to arrive before the inning’s end, Norton were well above the Duckworth-Lewis total needed for victory after the 25 over mark. But after drinks, Strang fell for 45 trying to loft one over the top, then Cox fell for 29 caught behind in the following over.

Still ahead of the required rate, with rain beginning to fall, matters got worse as Martin Cox was trapped in front, as was Nick Pang, despite a hint of wood. With rain starting to fall more heavily, Norton were one run ahead of Brislington after 32 overs, but Jon Harvey fell to the first ball of the 33rd over, giving the hosts the lead. Umpires pulled the teams from the field at the over’s completion, giving Brislington a 14-run win via Duckworth-Lewis.

With the ball, the twin off spin attack of Pang and Martin Cox opened the bowling and restricted the hosts to just 31-3 off twenty overs. But South African import, Michael Sherratt, batted superbly to firstly withstand the pressure from Pang and Martin Cox, before compiling a near perfect, unbeaten, 120. Martin Cox was the best of the bowlers with 3-21 from his ten overs, followed by teenager Morgan Skipp with figures of 3-40 after gaining promotion from the second team. Norton remain second in the league, ten points behind Winterbourne, and this Saturday take on third- placed, Bristol, at Withies Lane. The game starts at 12.30 p.m.

With last weekend’s Second and Third team home fixtures abandoned because of the weather, both teams are away this weekend. The Second XI are at Hampset and the Third XI travel to Bristol West Indian Phoenix CC. There is more cricket at Withies Lane on Sunday, when the top of the table Sunday XI take on third placed UBH. The game starts at 2 p.m.

Charlie Matthews