On another beautiful summer’s day at Bishopston, Midsomer Norton’s familiar batting problems cost them dear and saw them drop one place in the League table.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the visitors’ hopes and expectations were high, but the fall of early wickets saw Norton lurch from 18-2 to 53-4 without getting to grips with the game as required. Six batsmen recorded double figure scores, but only one, Martin Cox (64), made a noteworthy contribution.
Coming in at number four when the score was 18-2, no-one was able to keep Cox company for any length of time. The fifth wicket partnership of 46 was the only one of any substance, and from 131-5, Norton stuttered towards a total of 169, the last wicket falling in the 47th over. There were three wickets each for Jack Hunter and Lawrence Cook.
After setting a disappointing target for the home team to chase, Norton started well in the field, with Andy Cox (2-22) forcing Bishopston on to the back foot at 9-2. One more wicket fell and with Bishopston on 47-3, Norton were still in the game. However, an unbeaten 125-run partnership between Mark Coombes (76 not-out) and Jamie Tapper (64 not-out) helped Bishopston score the winning runs in the 29th over.
This Saturday, Norton visit Shapwick & Polden, who sit one point and one place above them in the league. The Second XI are at home again on Saturday, where they take on Stapleton. The game starts at 1.30 p.m. In their last fixture at Withies Lane, the Seconds chalked up a 238-run victory over Claverham, which included a century from Nick Cox. The Third XI visit Bristol Civil Service.
On Sunday, Midsomer Mavericks, the club’s Women’s team, travel to Weston-super-Mare for the Somerset Cricket Board’s Women’s softball finals day. Play starts at 10 a.m.
Charlie Matthews