MIDSOMER Norton are down to fourth in the Bristol/Somerset Division of the West of England Premier Cricket League after suffering another agonising defeat.

They went down by one-wicket at home against Keynsham, having lost to Golden Hill by one run and by two runs against Taunton Deane in their previous two matches.

However, Midsomer Norton are still very much in the promotion race as they are only three points behind second-placed Congresbury who won comfortably at home to Wellington.

Batting first against Keynsham, Midsomer Norton were bowled out for 156 runs in 49.4 overs. They never seriously recovered from losing two early wickets for ten runs. Jake Carstens took 3-23 and Sam Wheller 2-28.

Chasing 157 to win, Keynsham were 16-6 but were rescued by a match-winning 70 not out by Dilshan Wijayakumar, plus valuable late order runs from Scott Tweddle (32) and Sam Wheller (24 not out). The last-wicket pair of Wiljaykumar and Wheller put on a priceless 70 runs.

Meanwhile, Downend have opened up a 44-point lead at the top of the table after beating Clevedon at home by seven wickets, bowling out their rivals for 181.