METHODISTS gained a four-wicket away victory over a youthful Carsons & Mangotsfield 2nd XI on another hot afternoon.

The visitors chose to field first, but initially rued their decision as opening batsmen Tom Manning and Mani Ponting got Carsons off to a strong start. Despatching any loose deliveries to the fence, they'd put on 50 in ten overs by the time Manning (24) was finally removed by Daniel Shearn (3-29), the first of his three wickets in as many overs.

The retirement of Ponting (41) with a hamstring strain shortly afterward, and another wicket for Charlotte Hazell (2-39), meant the complexion of the innings had changed dramatically - the home team now effectively 68-5 with only junior batsmen and their captain to come. The young batters showed some grit, however, and managed to add another 58 runs in 16 overs before James Green (3-8) and Mark Robinson eventually wrapped things up - Carsons posting 126 as the players headed for an early tea break.

After the interval, Robinson and fellow opener Martin Woolley got the Methodists' innings off to a steady start, adding 20 in six overs before the former retired after a blow to the elbow. James Pitt removed Woolley in the tenth over, so it was Stuart Green who joined skipper Alex Nash as he set about chasing down the target with his usual brio. Sixty-eight had been pummelled in ten overs by the time Nash (62) top-edged Tom Brooker - who also snared Green - leaving the visitors needing 28 runs from nineteen overs. Tidy bowling and circumspect batting increased the Methodists' nerves but, despite losing three wickets cheaply, the returning Robinson (17*) was able to guide the team to a valuable away win.. Carsons & Mangotsfield 2nds 126, Methodists 127-6.

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