Methodists 141–8 Long Ashton 142–3

The Methodists welcomed Long Ashton Seconds for their first home game of the season – before play, the home team observed a minute’s silence in memory of former Club President and long-time player, Trevor Bell.

Asked to bat first, the Methodists began steadily, adding 34 in nine overs before Callum Powell (2–28) made a breakthrough for the visitors. Powell, combining with an exceptionally tidy spell from skipper Sean Walters (2–4), had the Methodists in trouble as they slumped to 66–5 with the dismissal of Alex Nash for 45. Stuart Green and Dave Sackett fought back, adding a quick twenty, before James Sackett joined Green to put on forty more, dragging the score toward respectability.

Wickets from Phil Parnham (3–30) slowed progress towards the end, but Sackett (23*) kept going, recording his highest score as the Methodists posted a defendable 141–8 at tea.

After the break, good bowling from Sackett, Craig Eyles and Phil Mortimer saw Long Ashton fairly subdued as they scored only 54 from their opening twenty overs. However, the dangerous Brian Storey had, by now, been joined by keeper Jon Ball (30), who took the attack to the bowlers and helped add a crucial 70 runs for the third wicket. Needing just 31 more from the last sixty balls Storey, despite surviving a few chances, had played the visitors into a winning position and wasn’t about to slip up now. In partnership with Stewart Caie, he knocked off the runs required with four overs to spare, finishing on 80 not out as he guided the visitors to a comfortable seven-wicket win.

Daniel Shearn