WITH the previous few days' scorching temperatures finally abating, Midsomer Norton Methodists welcomed Taverners to a pleasantly blustery Norton Hill for a bottom-of-the-table clash - and the result was a fine seven-wicket victory for the home outfit .

Invited to bat first, Taverners’ top-order had to contend with a swinging ball in the humid conditions. Skipper George Amos again led from the front, scoring the bulk of the runs while nobody else could get much of a start.

Wily off-spinner Craig Eyles (4-19) and youthful seamer Charlotte Hazell (2-38) proved a great combination as they dismissed batters four to eight, the visitors slumping from 62-2 to 94-7 during this testing period.

Amos (67) - having now reached his half-century - watched powerless from the other end, before eventually number nine Dave Adams was able to help forge a decent 39-run partnership. Taverners' captain was finally eighth man out - bowled Hazell, well-caught Logan Eyles - but by the time Methodists' skipper James Green (2-12) claimed the last wicket, Adams (28*) had guided the away team to a respectable total of 141.

After the tea break, the hosts lost a wicket to the experienced Rich Newton early in their reply. This brought together regular opening partnership Mark Robinson and Alex Nash who, after a few overs getting a feel for conditions, began building a solid second-wicket stand.

Well placed at 58-1 after thirteen overs, the pair quickly doubled the score in the next nine, their effort reaching three figures by the time Adams (2-26) caused Nash (62) to chop the ball onto his stumps. Robinson (52*) however remained unbeaten 'til the end, finally bringing up a deserved fifty by pummelling the winning boundary to seal a seven-wicket victory.

Methodists' Ball Sponsor - Doug Howarth. Methodists' Player Sponsors - The Dental Implant Clinic, Westsell Packaging, Mulberry, Purple Bricks. Scores: Methodists 145-3, Taverners 141 all out.