Midsomer Norton’s recent winning run came to an end after the narrowest of home defeats to Ilminster last weekend.

The home side won the toss and, not surprisingly, chose to bat first. Norton’s top four all made starts, but no one was able to go on to make a big score. Both openers were dismissed before twelve overs were completed and Norton were 65–2. Two more wickets fell before the end of the eighteenth over to leave Norton 82–4.

Unfortunately, no other Norton batsman made it to double figures and Norton’s innings was terminated before the end of the 32nd over, all out 109. Paul Robbins top scored with 29, but Norton’s last seven wickets added less than thirty runs.

Nick Pang then dismissed the visitors’ top scorer Johnston (48) and took another wicket with his next ball. Ilminster were now 96–5. Player coach, Jake Rowe, struck to dismiss the next four batsmen for ducks.

Norton were within touching distance of making a remarkable comeback before Ilminster’s last man struck the winning runs to give the visitors victory by a single wicket.

At the half-way stage of the season, Norton are fifth in the league and play Winterbourne at home this Saturday.

The Second XI won on their travels last Saturday. At Almondsbury, they won the toss and batted first, scoring 196–8 in forty overs.

There was a half century for Dean Clifton and Mitchell Turner made 43, Almondsbury passed the 100 mark with eight wickets intact, but wickets then fell steadily and the home side fell short by 21 runs.

There were five wickets for Harrison Veale. Mitchell Turner, Max Bartlett and Niel Brooks shared the rest. The Seconds travel to Backwell Flax Bourton this Saturday.

Norton’s Thirds also won, coming out on top in a low scoring game against Coalpit Heath. Midsomer Norton were made to bat first and were bowled out for 128, Rob Fuller top scoring with 32 not out.

Norton then had Coalpit Heath struggling at 69–7 before the home side rallied to fall short by just nine runs. Callum Bicknell took three wickets, there were two each for George Fuller and Matthew Edwards and the rest were shared between Alan Elkington, Phil Mortimer and Rob Fuller.

This Saturday, the Thirds go to Pucklechurch.

Charlie Matthews