Methodists 84 all out Midsomer Norton 3rds 89-3: The Methodists' season belatedly got underway with an enjoyable local derby versus a youthful Midsomer Norton CC XI, composed mainly of 3rd team players, but with a few old hands too.

Asked to bat first on a soft pitch, the Methodists' openers looked fairly comfortable with the tennis-ball bounce, but a full, straight ball brought early joy for George Wilcox (1-2).

Skipper Alex Nash joined the experienced Craig Eyles in the middle to add a watchful 27 runs for the second wicket, before Eyles was brilliantly caught at slip for 23 by Callum Bicknell. A flurry of boundaries had boosted the score but then the wickets began to tumble - fine spell from Flynn Carter (3-17) exposed a middle-order short on practice, and the accurate spin of Bicknell (1-5) finally removed the patient Nash (27), effectively putting the brakes on the innings.

Wickets for Matt Edwards (2-30), Gerard Knot (1-21) and the impressive Marcus Haigh (2-0) soon wrapped things up as the hosts slumped from 66 for 2 to 84 all out in just thirteen eventful overs.

After tea, the Norton batters also found themselves in early trouble - left-armer Paul Evans (2-7) and the accurate Daniel Shearn (1-7) quickly removing the visitors' top three for no score inside the first five overs. Nascent all-rounder Haigh (16*) was then joined at the crease by the massively experienced Martin Cox and, once the pair had negotiated another thirteen overs of tight bowling, the powerful Cox started to take advantage of some more friendly deliveries. Quickly upping the scoring-rate, he peppered the boundary as Norton plundered 57 runs from the next ten overs. Finishing an impressive 62 not out, and sealing victory with a majestic 'switch-hit' for six, he ensured the visitors survived their shaky start to wrap up the win by the emphatic margin of seven wickets, with twelve overs to spare.

Daniel Shearn