Minehead 1st XI 177 Midsomer Norton 1st XI 179-3 (Norton won by seven wickets)

Midsomer Norton faced Minehead at Withies Lane on Saturday looking to continue their winning run.

Skipper Nick Potter again won the toss and inserted the opposition on a firm surface, much to the surprise of most seasoned watchers.

With the score on 50-0 after eight overs, the decision was certainly looking a touch folly as the opening batsmen, Wright in particular, were brutal on anything pitched up.

The Norton team were looking a little ragged until Wright gave his wicket away, hitting a full ball straight to Marsh off the bowling of Martin Cox.

The run-rate did not abate as Bennett, following his 152 last week, came to the crease with a flurry of boundaries.

Off-spinner Pang was brought on to bowl and Bennett decided he was there to attack, but only succeeded in holing out on the boundary, much to the delight of the Norton team.

This brought a complete change in the momentum of the game as the home side bossed the remaining overs, with Pang showing maturity beyond his tender 17 years, picking up 3-47 from 15 continuous overs.

Potter also bowled well in claiming 3-46 but again Andy Cox was the pick of the bowlers, bowling his 15 overs in three spells for just 30 runs, picking up two wickets in the process.

He also showed his fielding prowess with a sharp direct-hit run out.

The innings closed with Martin Cox taking a difficult catch over his head off Potter.

In reply, opening batsmen Clifton and Webb set about the target with great gusto.

Clifton savaged anything pitched up as he peppered the straight boundaries, the 50 coming up in the 10th over.

Webb edged behind and Clifton soon followed for a quick 44 but Potter and Maule were happy to nudge the ball around following the good start and the target was soon within range.

With Wright bowling a tight spell at one end, the Norton batsmen were happy to target the bowlers at the other end, with boundaries coming at regular intervals.

Maule holed out for 33 off the bowling of Wright who took 1-41 from his 15 overs.

This left the skipper and Martin Cox to see the team home, Cox finishing unbeaten on 14 and Potter, although dropped three times, unbeaten on 66.