A SUNNY Norton Hill found the Methodists playing host to a well-drilled Carsons & Mangotsfield 2nd XI, who opted to field first..

The visitors immediately had the Methodists under pressure - bowlers James Pitt and Tour Ponting (2-13) giving very little away, and conceding precious few runs.

A gritty third-wicket stand between Martin Woolley and James Green then added a patient 20, but two more dismissals by the equally testing pairing of James King (1-9) and James Davis (1-26) reduced the home side to 39-4 after twenty overs. T

The experienced Iain Locke again joined Green to add an encouraging 39 in 12 overs - but when Jack Woodland (2-27) eventually claimed the wicket of Locke (11), this precipitated another mini-collapse. An entertaining flurry of boundaries from Green (51) and Daniel Shearn (12) added 27 late-on, but James Cathro (3-24) ensured the Methodists had only amassed a modest 114-9 by tea.

After the break it was clear the Carsons batters weren't going to hang around. An early wicket for Paul Evans (1-22) didn't change their approach and by ten overs they had 43 runs on the board.

The loopy bowling of Green (5-29) snared several victims to hinder the away side's progress, but the likes of Max Buckingham (24), Darren Shellard (19) and Tom Smurthwaite (18) ensured that they had moved on to 91-4 by twenty overs.

Accurate bowling from Charlotte Hazell slowed the scoring-rate after drinks, but Carsons had time to employ a more measured approach - reaching their target in the 30th over and wrapping up a fairly comfortable four-wicket win.

Methodists 114-9 v Carsons & Mangotsfield 2nds 115-6