An injury-hit Methodists made the short trip to a muggy Stanton Drew to play Whitchurch 3rds and, on winning the toss, asked the home side to bat first.

The visitors struck early with the ball, the humid atmosphere promoting some rare swing which Daniel Shearn (3-32) used to claim two wickets in the third over. Josh Payter and Charlie Farmer then quickly racked up 39 runs in four overs, before Payter (20) was also bowled. Kieran Quirke joined skipper Farmer and the lusty hitting continued - another 79 runs being added for the fourth wicket. Farmer (43) was eventually bowled by David Baker, but Quirke (74) then put on 77 runs with Harry Watkins, until the former was trapped lbw by Darcey Robinson. Talented young batter Ronnie Fripp (30) added more useful runs with Watkins (64), before a frantic last over saw two run-outs as Whitchurch posted a sizeable 261-8.

After tea, the Methodists' innings began steadily, Alex Nash and Dave Sackett putting on 66 for the first wicket in 18 overs. James Sackett helped add some quick runs for the second wicket, before Nash was then joined by the experienced Stuart Green - the visitors needing an unlikely 177 runs to win from just 18 overs at this point. The pair saw up the Methodists' hundred and then really stood on the gas - Nash in particular punishing anything untidy, as another 134 runs were added in just fourteen overs! Unfortunately for the visitors, the fairy-tale ending was not to be, and the rampant Nash was finally caught on the boundary for a magnificent 138 off Ellis Kibby (2-40) with 43 runs still required from 25 balls. A valiant effort from Green (50*) and Baker saw up the 250, but Whitchurch hung on to win a great game by a slender 11 runs.

Daniel Shearn