MIDSOMER Norton maintained their bid for promotion in the Bristol/Somerset Division of the West of England Premier Cricket League with a seven-wicket home win over Clevedon.

Batting first CLevedon made a poor start, losing two wickets for only 18 runs. However, opener Louie Woodland (31), Matthew Carpenter (29) and James Caddick (47) helped the visitors to score 186 all out.

Midsomer Norton’s main wicket-takers were Adam Sylvester, 2-26 in eight overs, Paul Robbins, 2-33 in ten overs, and Jake Roberts, 2-27 in six overs.

Openers Robbins and Alex Lear produced a good start for the home side, putting on 56 before being parted. Robbins was out for 28 and Lear followed soon after for 20.

Richard Staines lost his wicket cheaply but Finn Kelsey and Callum Harvey came together to steer Midsomer Norton to victory. Kelsey hit six fours in his 42 not out and Harvey found the boundary nine times in his unbeaten 68 as Midsomer Norton cruised to victory in the 36th over.

Mark Bibbing was Clevedon’s most successful bowler with 3-23.

Meanwhile, Downend remain top of the division after collecting 20 points with a 91-run success away to Golden Hill. Their lead over Midsomer Norton remains 17 points, both having played the same number of games.