Midsomer Norton fell to a 25-run defeat at North Perrott last Saturday despite winning the toss and starting the game in positive fashion.

The visitors chose correctly at the toss and asked the home side to bat first. Norton’s opening bowlers Chris Phylips and Gary Filer soon reduced the home side to 33/3 and when Caleb Rowe dismissed opener Eckland, Perrott were four down with just 54 runs on the board. Two more wickets soon fell and with the home side at 75/6, Midsomer Norton were well on top. The game turned though on an 83 run seventh wicket partnership, mainly the work of John Stratton who scored 76 not out from just 56 balls. North Perrott batted out their 45 overs and finished on 184/7. Chris Phylips and Jake Rowe took two wickets each and Gary Filer, Caleb Rowe and Morgan Skipp took a wicket a piece.

After the dismissal of opening bat Skipp, an 88-run partnership for the second wicket (Robbins 49 and Hankins 43) helped put Norton in a good position again. Norton were though unable to build another partnership of any substance and wickets fell at a steady rate thereafter. Norton were bowled out for 149 in the 44th over to lose by 25 runs. Norton are now fourth in the table and play second placed Taunton St Andrews at Withies Lane this weekend.

At Withies Lane last Saturday, Norton’s Seconds beat Bitton by five wickets after asking the visitors to bat first. Bitton were restricted to 132/7 in their allotted overs with Mark Davis taking four wickets and one wicket each for Max Bartlett, Dan Chard and Ben Bicknell. Norton chased down the target in less than 30 overs, Martin Cox top scoring with 51 not out. This Saturday, the Seconds visit Hampset.

The Third XI lost to Winterbourne last Saturday by 59 runs despite winning the toss and asking Winterbourne to bat first. Winterbourne scored 185/7 in 40 overs, Melvin Lawrence, Callum Bicknell and Rob Fuller got the wickets. Norton never seriously threatened to reach the target despite 44 from J Fuller and 39 extras and were all out for 126. This Saturday the Thirds go to Barrow Gurney.