With three matches of the BDCA season to go, the Methodists travelled to Backwell Flax Bourton 2nds for what might be a crucial game in the context of who stays up and who suffers relegation.

The home team elected to field first, and it didn’t take long before that decision was vindicated. Upasak Kumar was the bowler to make the breakthrough in the third over, with Tom Baughan also striking four overs later, as the Methodists wobbled on 19-2. Kumar (3-19) then claimed another batsman on the same score as the wobble threatened to become a collapse, before a protracted run-out and the introduction of Max Taffinder (2-3) saw the visitors’ worst fears realised.

At 32-7 after just thirteen overs, the collapse threatened to become a rout, but fortunately James Sackett and Paul Evans were on hand to show some fighting spirit and stop the team being skittled out. They knuckled down and batted together for a further thirteen overs, adding 21 runs, and showing the top-order what could be achieved if they just stuck around at the crease. The pair’s heroics were eventually ended by the bowling of Sam Dodge (3-15), but Evans (15*) remained unbeaten when the end inevitably came - Methodists finally posting a lack-lustre 73 in 33.2 overs, with 28 of those runs from Mr. Extras!

After tea, the hosts didn’t take too long to chase down the runs required, but the Methodists’ bowlers made life a little difficult for them. Wickets for Daniel Shearn and Mark Robinson, and the welcome return of Craig Eyles’ spin bowling after a season-long injury, made the home side work for their runs, but after 17.4 overs they wrapped up a comfortable win by the margin of six wickets - Ewen MacGregor (22) and Chris Toole (20*) scoring the bulk of Backwell’s total.