BATH FOURTHS 197 METHODISTS 200–3

Another sunny Saturday(!) saw the Methodists playing Bath Fourths in a friendly match at their Brownsword ground on top of Lansdown.

Batting first, the home side were quickly away – Ritvij Roy and Henry Allen immediately peppering the boundaries and building a sizeable partnership in quick time. Having put on an untroubled 96, both openers reached their fifties and retired, shortly before the Methodists finally made a breakthrough with a timely run out. This first wicket opened the door and James Green (2–27) and sister Darcey were soon claiming their own, before Richard Turner (3–19) got the visitors right back in the game.

Sandford (33) and Matt Kerr (21) boosted Bath’s total, but soon enough they too were dismissed and Roy (58) and Allen (55) were returning to the crease. Momentum, however, was now with the Methodists and Stuart Green (2–15) and David Baker eventually wrapped the innings up for 197 in the 35th over.

After tea, Alex Nash and Mark Robinson built on a steady start and by the 19th over of the visitors’ innings had three figures on the board. Nash was finally dismissed by Freddie Kerr for a shot-filled 64, and another quick wicket brought some fears of a

mini-collapse similar to that of the home team.

James Green then dispelled these fleeting doubts with a rapid 36, taking the Methodists to the brink of victory, before the in-form Robinson (72*) helped make sure of the result with six overs to spare – their first win over Bath Fourths in twelve seasons of trying.

Daniel Shearn