AS THE league season moves towards its conclusion, the Methodists' antepenultimate game saw them hosting a closely-matched Stapleton 3rds - and winning by 29 runs.

The visitors (with only eight players arrived) elected to field first, while the Methodists batters made hay. Alex Nash and Richard Brand pummelled 23 from two overs although Nash (12) perished early, but Brand - now joined by Craig Eyles - plundered a rapid 42 before edging behind. With the total a mighty 75-2 from just 8 overs, the missing three players finally arrived and the rapid tempo was reined in somewhat, although Eyles and James Green (16) still added 58 in 12 overs.

Green then fell to Regan Wilson (1-38), while replacement Ish Fairoz (19) and prized wicket Eyles (69) were both removed by Zeehan Shahzad (2-26). The rest of the Methodists line-up offered little resistance (bar Paul Evans' fluent 13), as Stapleton skipper Mark Wilson picked up 3-16 and the innings closed on 200 - the last six wickets having fallen for only 17 runs.

After tea, the away side made a solid start, losing two wickets to left-armer Evans but progressing to 61-3 after 11 overs. Runs from Talhah Hussain (20), Mohammed Shoaib (28) and Zeehan (17) all helped tick the board over, but Ish Fairoz (2-31) claimed a brace as Stapleton slipped to 76-5 in the 14th. Mohammad Hussain (37) batted well but kept losing partners as the visitors found themselves 120-8, but young Regan Wilson (17*) stepped up to help add 46 vital runs and boost hopes of snatching an away victory. But a tense finale saw Green finally snare Hussain and Eyles (3-35) then wrapped things up, the Methodists hanging on to secure a crucial 29-run win. Methodists 200, Stapleton 3rds 171.

Methodists' Ball Sponsor - Jim Eyles; Methodists' Player Sponsors - Purple Bricks, Westsell Packaging, Molehill Construction, Bath Potters' Supplies, Timber Games