MIDSOMER NORTON 1ST XI 122 STAPLETON 1ST XI 146

In a game dominated by the ball, the contribution of Stapleton batsman, Oliver Sharp (60), proved to be the most decisive.

He shared an opening stand of 77 with Andy Williams (15) after they were put into bat. The partnership was broken by Martin Cox in the sixteenth over and he and Nick Potter (4–25) slowed the scoring rate, exerting the pressure which saw eight wickets fall for just 27 runs to set a target of 147.

The Norton reply was never convincing, as the batsmen struggled against accurate bowling. Dan Chard (4–4) and Abhishek Patil (4–25) returned fine figures and steered their side to victory by 24 runs.

Norton hope to return to winning ways with a home fixture against Old Bristolians Westbury this Saturday. The match starts at 1 p.m. at the Withies Lane ground. The Second XI travel to Bristol West Indians and this game starts at 1.30 p.m. The Third XI are at home to Harptree. The Sunday XI have an away fixture against Farmborough.

Report by Charlie Matthews