JAH Eyles XI 206 all out v Methodists 246-3: The Methodists' final game of the season was their annual friendly match versus their club captain Jim Eyles' XI, played at Midsomer Norton CC's Withies Lane HQ. Both sides would be down to ten players, however, due to a couple of late availability issues!

Methodists won the toss and elected to bat, but were soon in difficulties - prolific batsman Alex Nash perished quickly, while another wicket in the third over left them wobbling on 10-2. Craig Eyles joined Mark Robinson to try and halt the collapse and the experienced pair soon began to exploit the gaps in the field and enjoy the excellent pitch, finding the boundary regularly as the score rapidly increased at nearly a run-a-ball. Their stand passed one hundred in the twentieth over, and steadily grew until Eyles reached his century and retired, having helped put on 196 runs in 32 overs. Robinson soon retired too, having brought up his well-deserved maiden hundred, while the Methodists finally closed their innings on an impressive 246-3.

After the players and crowds of spectators had enjoyed a leisurely tea - with all proceeds going to charity - the Eyles XI were quickly out of the starting gate with Josh Rodd and Chris Dunn scoring freely. Although Rodd was unlucky to get stumped in the third over, Dunn continued to pummel the bowling and, along with the evergreen Iain Locke, saw the total into three-figures.

The Methodists struck back though, James Green (2-28) removing both Dunn (70) and Locke (32), and slowing their opposition down with regular wickets.

Eyles' skipper David Baker (38) kept them in the game with help from Roy Bobbett and a dashing Howard Jones cameo, but Nash (3-28) then wrapped things up quickly, as the challengers were finally all out for 206 in the thirty eighth over.

Daniel Shearn