METHODISTS’ final away fixture of their BDCA season saw them making the short trip to Bath to play Hampset 2nds at their Bloomfield Rise HQ where they gained a convincing ten-wicket victory.

The home side batted first, their openers briefly enjoying the fast outfield and stroking three early boundaries. However, left-armer Paul Evans then skittled one man and quickly snared the second, well caught by slip fielder Stuart Green. Evans' bowling partner Daniel Shearn soon joined the party with a double-wicket maiden - Hampset now reeling on 17-4 - but the batters continued to play their shots.

Jon Dolman (19) and Harry Hall (10) added 28 runs in little more than three overs, Dolman hitting several towering sixes. A mis-timed shot eventually resulted in a vertiginous top-edge, safely pouched by Logan Eyles, making it 45-5 - the first of four wickets in as many overs. The hosts slumped to 56-8 as Evans (4-36) and Shearn (5-31) enjoyed their moment in the sun - the pair finishing their sixteen over spell with the home team teetering on 68-9. First-change bowler Ish Fairoz then needed just three balls to wrap things up, as the home side were bundled out for 73 in a little over an hour.

After a short break between innings, Methodists' opening batsmen Alex Nash (21*) and Richard Brand took a positive approach to their run-chase! Hampset's bowlers were given no margin for error as anything loose was sent quickly to the fences - the scoreboard rattling around at more than ten runs per over. Brand was in particularly good touch, cantering to 48 from only 23 balls, as the visitors secured a thumping win, needing just 6.5 overs to finish the job. Hampset 2nds 73, Methodists 78-0.

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