Last weekend, Midsomer Norton returned to winning ways after an exceptional batting performance from Martin Cox. Losing the toss on an overcast, muggy afternoon, Norton started in the field.

Wayward bowling helped the Brislington openers race to thirty off only four overs, before Gould and Turner regained some control. Pang accounted for Hawken to give Norton their first breakthrough. Pang also snared Ollis LBW and when Cox bowled Williams, the game was interestingly poised at 117–3. Geoff Iles moved to fifty before falling to Potter and this brought Captain, Chris Munden, to the crease. He shared in an excellent partnership with Rhys Grove of 123 from only sixteen overs as they began to show how easy batting was on a flat track and fast outfield, running the fielders ragged and finding boundaries with ease. Grove fell in the last over for 51, but by then the total was an imposing 274–5. 

Norton knew that with an excellent batting track, the target was not out of reach. Hampshire, promoted to open, gave them the perfect start, smashing the first ball for four. However, he was yorked by Hawken having added just one more run. Lear was joined by Cox and they began to set a platform for Norton to build on. Cox, who was untroubled throughout, timed the ball with ease, picking the gaps and running quick singles with Lear before a mistimed cut was grabbed at point as Lear fell for eighteen. Clifton looked to accelerate the run rate, striking the ball with power, including two glorious extra cover drives. At the halfway point in the innings, Brislington looked favourites as 182 runs were still required. Jon Harvey added further impetus to the chase, smashing five boundaries in seventeen balls and Potter continued in similar vein, pulling imperiously. The Skipper added 85 for the fifth wicket with Cox in only nine overs and, when Potter was dismissed, Cox moved to a faultless century, his second fifty coming from only 32 balls. Pang struck a few lusty blows of his own, but it was Cox who struck the winning boundary with four overs to spare.

Norton will hope that this is a corner turned as they travel to Frenchay this Saturday looking to continue their improved batting form. On the same day, there are home fixtures for the Second XI against Lechlade at Withies Lane and for the Third XI against Easton Cowboys at Somervale. The Sunday Firsts visit Knowle CC.

Charlie Matthews