In sport, and especially in cricket, there is often no greater discussed topic than that of form. Be it good or bad, it can be a cover all for every situation. For Midsomer Norton last Saturday, it was about how many of their number found it again, as they notched up their second win of the league season, and in some style, crushing Glastonbury by 98 runs.

Missing Vice-Captain, Nick Pang, (for the first time in seven years), Norton were surprisingly inserted on a firm pitch that looked like it would offer more carry than any others so far this season. And so it proved, initially, as the new ball was soon nipping through. This wasn't before Lear was dropped from the very first ball of the game, driving uppishly to cover, who couldn't hang on. Captain Potter (6) was not so lucky, as his defences were soon breached, bowled by the bustling Williams (2–45). Martin Cox was soon to follow, impressively caught at slip without registering a run and, despite an explosive start, Clifton (14) miscued to cover. Norton were in trouble at 35–3. What followed can only be described as the best partnership in recent memory for Midsomer Norton. Troubled by a hamstring injury, Bokang Mosena strolled out at number five. He has shown plenty of evidence of his talent in his first few weeks at Midsomer Norton, but was yet to follow it up with runs in the book. He started slowly, taking what was on offer, with the occasional boundary thrown in.

Meanwhile, Lear, who had survived another tough chance, began to settle in to his usual style, working well off his legs and picking gaps through the offside. He soon brought up his fifty as the revival effort continued. Mosena soon followed to his half-century, bringing it up shortly after depositing the ball into an adjoining back garden. Soon after he stepped on the accelerator and the boundaries flowed. Two more sixes followed and with a flick to midwicket, he trotted through for his century, a truly faultless innings, full of intelligence and timing and only needing 23 balls to go from fifty to one hundred. At the other end, Lear had kept ticking over, feeding Mosena the strike, but as the final over began he found himself on 91. A couple of quick ones and twos saw a weary Lear needing one run from the last ball of the innings for his own century. He duly guided it through cover to healthy applause and wild celebrations from the man himself. Banishing the demons of being stuck on 97 in a previous innings, he registered his maiden first team ton. Norton closed on a very healthy 245–3, Mosena and Lear finishing up with an unbroken stand of 210.

A somewhat downtrodden Glastonbury set out on the run chase as Norton harboured hopes of early breakthroughs. Davis (2–25) was clearly in no mood to wait and, fuelled by the frustrations of early season performances, ran in with purpose, generating some good pace, which saw him do for both Easton and Ellison.Norton quickly got on top. Ellison was in no mood to wonder and made efforts to jumpstart the chase, but was soon deceived by the wily Cox (1–26), who drew him across the crease and bowled him behind his legs. Sam Gould (2–33) joined the party, offering an unplayable delivery to Mason (17). Hotham (21) and Shawcross (18) chanced their arms, but both fell in quick succession to Nick Cox (1–26) and Niel Brooks (3–30). Brooks picked up two more, both batsmen struggling with some old fashioned swing bowling, and prodigious inward movement. A slip-up saw Clifton swoop from backward point for a run-out and Glastonbury were 108–9. A bit of merry swinging from Keates and Rumney delayed the inevitable, before Gould dealt the final blow and Norton wrapped up the victory.

This Saturday, the First XI is at home for the visit of fourth-placed Bishopston. With Norton now in third place, it stands out as a big early season clash and a good indicator of where the season is headed. Another performance like last Saturday's, however, will go a long way towards making it three wins in a row. On the same day, the Second XI travels to Shirehampton and the Third XI visits Whitchurch. The following day, the Sunday Seconds travel to Exiles (Bath). Charlie Matthews