WHITCHURCH’S second string ran out comfortable winners against Midsomer Norton Methodists in the Bristol and District League Division Seven East.

As Norton Hill School was being used for a junior football tournament, the Methodists relocated to the picturesque Prior Park College for this clash.

Their opponents, invited to bat first, got their innings off to a quick start with Aaron Mezaros and Paul Dury enjoying the glorious conditions. Mezaros looked in great touch as he cashed in on anything slightly off target, reaching his 50 in the 11th over.

The home side’s bowlers didn't have much luck slowing the scoring rate either, with the 100 partnership arriving in the 18th over, and the 150 in the 26th.

Eventually, with 176 on the board, veteran seamer Stuart Green found a way through by bowling Dury (57) and giving the home support something to cheer.

Mezaros continued on to complete an excellent century, finally falling for 117 as Green struck again in the 33rd over.

Harry Dalton (29) and Mark Shields then added a quick 31 for the third wicket, before Shields and Dave Millard bumped the score to 263 with one over to go.

A final flurry saw another 18 runs added, but the dogged Green (3-57) dismissing Shields for a handy 44, with Whitchurch finally posting 277-5.

After tea, the Methodists were undone by the tidy bowling of Russ Macey (4-37), with most of the top-order managing to chip his innocuous-looking deliveries to the waiting fielders. Skipper Alex Nash (29) smote a few fours, but at 54-4 things looked wobbly.

The introduction of Ben Lewis (5-23) for the visitors then snuffed out any remaining hopes as the Methodists bundled out for 103 after just 24 overs. Whitchurch sealed the win by 174 runs.