Methodists 138-7 v Bradley Stoke Thirds 76 all out

A windy afternoon found the Methodists welcoming second-placed

Bradley Stoke Thirds to Norton Hill, the visitors choosing to bowl first.

The spin of George Malin (2–18) made an early impact as he accounted for two of the top three batsmen, while Sri Gandhi backed him up with an equally probing opening spell.

The home side found the going tough on the bowler-friendly surface, but after sixteen overs had moved carefully to 43–2, with Alex Nash and James Green making steady progress.

The total reached three figures in the 27th over but more good bowling helped Bradley Stoke finally hit back, ending the crucial 64-run partnership as Nash was removed for 72, and then Green for an equally vital 24.

Toby Humphries (2–33), Sam Hunter (2–26) and Adrian Cooper (1–15) effectively put the brakes on the innings, with the Methodists eventually creeping to a modest 138–7 at the tea interval.

Following the break, the visitors found the going just as difficult as Daniel Shearn (2–16) and Mark Robinson (1–19) put their top-order in difficulties.

Great work in the field had helped the Methodists reduce Bradley Stoke to 41–4 at the innings’ halfway point, and more accurate bowling spells from Craig Eyles (2–29) and David Baker (1–9) increased the pressure – the visitors crumbling to 75–8 from 32 overs.

Captain James Green finally ended the long vigil of Gandhi (32) in the next over, well caught by Logan Eyles in the deep, before Richard Turner followed up his two earlier run-outs with the last wicket – the visitors all out for a meagre 76.

Methodists’ next game – away to Frampton Cotterell Thirds. Daniel Shearn