Long Ashton seconds 144-2 v Methodists 140-9

Another sunny afternoon saw the Methodists travelling to Long Ashton 2nds for their penultimate league game of the season.

Asked to bat first, the visitors lost two early wickets to the excellent bowling of young Will Hughes (2-21) before Mark Robinson (19) and Craig Eyles (30) were able to give the innings a solid foundation. Their stand of 44 in fifteen overs was eventually broken by Long Ashton skipper Sean Walters (2-21), whose accurate spin did for both set batsmen in quick succession. James and Stuart Green were then tasked with keeping the Methodists in the game - their partnership of 38 runs taking the visitors to three-figures before Stuart became the first victim of Tommy Caie (3-18). James (49) carried on finding the boundary though, and was on the verge of a deserved fifty when James Thomas finally claimed his wicket. Some timely blows by the lower-order batters in the final throes eventually saw the Meths to a reasonable 140-9 at tea.

After the break the home team were rarely troubled as they chased down their target. Tim Sanders and Neil Wilson each gave an early chance, but from then on proceeded to find the rope regularly as the scoreboard ticked over nicely.

A stand of ninety in twenty-two overs put Long Ashton in great shape, but Paul Evans (1-12) eventually prised out Sanders for 35 as he gave a catch to Matt Kerr (1-21), who then shortly after claimed a wicket himself, as he ended an assured knock by Wilson (54).

Any thoughts of an extraordinary comeback were soon extinguished by Stanley Sainsbury (39*) and Thomas though, who calmly knocked off the runs required to give the hosts a comfortable eight-wicket win with 8.3 overs to spare.

Next week, Methodists will play Bristol Uni Staff (home).

Daniel Shearn