THE Methodists' final game of the cricket season was the traditional contest versus a side selected by club captain Jim Eyles, once again generously hosted by Midsomer Norton Cricket Club.

The weather was cloudy and humid, and two days of heavy rain had left the square looking rather wet but, despite looking bad, the pitch played impeccably as usual.

JAH Eyles' skipper David Baker opted to bat first but the Methodists had the better start - Paul Evans (2-23) and Daniel Shearn claiming early wickets to reduce their opponents to 13-3 in the fourth over.

However, Jack Hewish (Purnell CC) and Thiaan Aspeling (Bath CC) then proceeded to show how easy batting could be made to look, as they put together a magnificent stand of 151 in 22 overs.

Aspeling (68) was eventually teased into a false shot by the looping deliveries of Logan Eyles, his place taken at the crease by Dinder & Croscombe CC's Wayne Higgins. He also enjoyed the conditions, helping Hewish to keep the scoreboard ticking over healthily until the Purnells batter finally retired, having made an excellent 104 not out. Higgins himself also retired upon reaching fifty - the Eyles XI posting a formidable 260-5 from 40 overs.

After tea - during which the large crowd of spectators enjoyed a sumptuous spread, with all proceeds going to charity - the Methodists lost skipper Alex Nash to the last ball of Simon Howlett's opening over.

Mark Robinson (returning after two months of injury) and Craig Eyles then reprised their roles from the teams' 2023 meeting and steadily built a century stand for the second wicket.

A dodgy call then saw Eyles (51) brilliantly run-out by 'keeper Ben Smith (Timsbury CC), before Beth Aspeling (Bath CC) then removed the dangerous James Green with her first delivery - scuppering any slim hopes that the Methodists harboured of pulling off an unlikely win.

Robinson and father-in-law Stuart Green added 47 for the fourth wicket to give the total a boost, before Eyles' skipper Baker ended their partnership - Robinson going on to finish with a composed 92 not out, the Methodists posting a respectable 190-4 as the rain closed in again.

A big thank you to all who supported the game, and everyone behind the scenes who made the occasion such a success, as around £600 was raised for Parkinson's Research on the day.

Ball Sponsors - Dave Sackett and Jim Eyles; Methodists' Player Sponsors - Westsell Packaging, Molehill Construction, Premier Oak Buildings, Timber Games.