UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL STAFF SECONDS 45 ALL OUT

MIDSOMER NORTON METHODISTS 195–4

A wintery May afternoon found the Methodists at Coombe Dingle playing University of Bristol Staff Seconds.

Asked to bat first, the Norton side got off to an ‘extras-assisted’ flyer as the Uni bowlers struggled to find their range, with 39 runs already on the board when the first wicket fell in the fifth over. Will Sinclair struck twice, removing both openers, before the accurate spin of Mo Rashid applied the brakes to the Methodists’ innings.

Just nineteen runs were scored in the next eleven overs – while a third wicket also fell – leaving experienced all-rounders, David Baker and Craig Eyles to get the scoreboard moving again. During their twenty over partnership, the pair gradually upped the tempo and had added a vital 92 runs by the time Rashid (2–18)

returned and removed Eyles for an extremely valuable 47. Baker was joined by James Green for the final 6.4 overs and another fifty runs were added, with Baker reaching his well-earned half-century as the Methodists posted a competitive 195–4 at tea.

With the match somehow avoiding the surrounding heavy showers, Uni Staff began their reply in the worst way possible as a double-wicket maiden from Daniel Shearn (3–15) saw them 0–2 almost before their innings had started. With Baker also on the money with the ball, the hosts found themselves on 5–3 after eight overs and never recovered from then on.

James Green picked up 2–3 and Howard Jones was excellent with 4–6, the latter wrapping up the game as the home side collapsed to just 45 all out.

Daniel Shearn