Last Saturday, an injury-ravaged Midsomer Norton First XI fell to a gut- wrenching, final-over defeat at the hands of Frenchay.
Knowing a win would leave their final game all but a formality when it came to the WEPL Bristol/Somerset Division title, Norton were inserted under cloudy skies. Two unforecast rain delays would later see the game reduced to a 41-over contest.
A mix-up led to the early run-out of the luckless James Harvey before he could register a score and Lear played some aggressive drives before his zealous strokeplay led to an uppish drive finding the hands of extra cover. With Dean Clifton one of the ailing, Pang, promoted to number four, fell in similar fashion. Jon Harvey dug in and looked to assist Martin Cox as Norton tried to establish a defendable score. After some patient work, Harvey was induced into giving an outside edge and Norton stumbled to 111–4 by the time of the second rain delay. Knowing they had eleven overs left to bat, Skipper Potter and Cox looked to hit the accelerator. Cox swiftly passed yet another fifty as they began to target the shorter boundary and run the fielders ragged. Cox finally perished looking for quick runs after yet another masterful display. With the 200 target looking in doubt, Chris Hampshire's cameo seven-ball seventeen came to its conclusion when a towering six took Norton to 201 off the final ball of their innings.
Rain intervened after one over of the home side's reply, but no time was lost and the chance to restart was grabbed by Norton as one wiley veteran removed another as Donaldson top edged to mid-off from Cox. The joy faded for Norton, however, as Barrow and the hard-hitting Bury capitalised on some very loose bowling to take Frenchay to 68, before the very impressive Sam Gould made the breakthrough. Reid fell shortly after to Pang and following a brief partnership, a flurry of wickets put Norton back into the game. Captain Potter followed up his excellent batting efforts with an inspired spell, ripping the heart out of the Frenchay batting, with a heavy helping of swing and seam movement. At 142–7, Norton fancied their chances of tying up the game and putting one hand on the title.
The immovable Bury remained however and as long as he did, so did Frenchay's hopes. A brilliantly managed partnership of 51 with Stell turned the game on its head. Bury timed his chase to perfection and as the last over began, with Frenchay needing nine, it was truly in the balance. The game took yet another twist as Hampshire took a phenomenal diving catch at the second attempt off his own bowling to dismiss Stell. Another dot ball built the pressure, before a scrambled single, albeit saved by the umpire who came between Pang's throw and the stumps, got Bury back on strike. He ended the game in style, first striking Hampshire over mid-off for four, before pulling to the midwicket boundary to leave Norton anguished at the loss. The gap at the top narrows, but Norton travel to Bedminster this Saturday, knowing an improved performance is needed to take them to the title. On the same day, Lansdown visit Withies Lane for a Second XI fixture and the Third XI visit Brislington. The Sunday Firsts visit Keynsham, while Beckington provide the opposition for the Sunday Seconds at Withies Lane.