In the first away fixture of the 2016 campaign, Midsomer Norton chose to bat, but plans to post an imposing total were thwarted by tidy bowling by Winterbourne and the ten over power-play yielded just 39 runs.
Dean Clifton dominated an opening stand of 75 with Alex Lear (102 not out) and reached his half-century in just 50 balls. He was bowled by George Ford (2-42) by the next ball he faced, bringing Martin Cox to the crease and he added 49 with Lear. Shailesh Bhondekar became the first of Ben Parker’s four victims when Marcus Purnell produced a stunning catch on the boundary and from that point the innings lost its momentum. The final total of 234-7 was achieved thanks to an excellent Lear century.
Winterbourne’s reply did not start well as Bhondekar (4-57) bowled a lively spell of five overs, claiming three wickets, but opener James Williams stood firm and Jon Oakes raced to fifty from 43 balls in a stand of 113 in 17 overs. Williams fell to the returning Bhondekar and Oakes was dismissed by Potter, but Chris Kislingbury and Purnell were largely untroubled in steering the home side to victory with seven overs to spare.
The First XI are next in action at Withies Lane this Saturday against early season leaders, Frenchay. The game starts at 1 p.m.
The Second XI, having won their first two league fixtures, travel to second placed Frenchay on Saturday. The Third XI visit Mells on Saturday, hoping to build on their convincing win over Nailsea last weekend. Both games start at 1.30 p.m.
The Sunday side take on Kilmersdon at Withies Lane, starting at 2 p.m.