Midsomer Norton were asked to bat as Minehead made their first visit to Withies Lane since 2010.
Chris Hampshire was dismissed in the opening over and Martin Cox, despite showing glimpses of a return to form with three boundaries, soon followed with the score on 25.
Bokang Mosena (52) joined opener, Alex Lear (51), and the scoring rate increased significantly from the tenth over. 105 runs were added in twenty overs for the third wicket before both were dismissed by Nkosi. Dean Clifton dominated the rest of the innings with a superb batting display as he cruised to fifty in 48 balls and then accelerated to reach his century from only 69 balls. He was dismissed in the final over for 107 as the Minehead bowlers stuck to their task to earn maximum bowling points.
The total of 300 was the highest by a Norton team in recent memory and the opening attack of Sam Gould (3–18) and Bokang Mosena (2–41) ensured that it remained a daunting one as they reduced Minehead to 45–5 after twelve overs. A partnership of 78 between Ross Nkosi (80) and Dan Godfrey (22) bolstered the total and Nkosi raced to a half-century from only 33 balls. Godfrey was trapped LBW to become the first of Nick Cox's victims who returned excellent figures of 4–33. Minehead accumulated a further 53 runs, but Norton were firmly in control and won by 124 runs with fourteen overs to spare.
This Saturday, the First Team visit third-placed Knowle, while the second team entertain Bristol YMCA at Withies Lane. The Third Team also have a home fixture against Easton Cowboys. Hanham are the visitors for the Sunday Seconds fixture.