Methodists defeated on DLS after downpour brings an early finish

Midsomer Norton Methodists travelled to Knowle 3rd in a rare Bristol & District League fixture that was able to be played to a finish on Saturday.

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Starting in overcast condition on Knowle’s superbly prepared main ground, Methodists batted first before heavy drizzle interrupted proceedings after only four overs.

After a break of 45 minutes, Alex Nash and Mark Robinson got Methodists off to a fine start with 73 runs in 15 overs. After surviving an earlier chance, Nash departed for a solid 42. Stuart Green joined his son-in-law at the crease and injected some urgency into the running.

Now batting in persistent drizzle, they did a fine job to put on an unbeaten 98 in the 19 overs available to them. Green finished 47 not out and Robinson an excellent unbeaten 74 as Methodists finished on 171-1 from their reduced 34 overs.

After tea, Knowle took a measured approach to their run-chase. The openers kept things ticking over with relative ease, before the breakthrough arrived in the ninth over. The second pair was broken by an injury, before the second opener fell with 89 on the board in the 18th over.

With the match finely poised, Knowle upped the ante under the ominously dark skies to achieve victory by DLS when the inevitable downpour finally hit on 150-2.

Methodists' ball sponsor: HCL Fasteners. Methodists' player sponsors: Purple Bricks, Westsell Packaging, Molehill Construction, Bath Potters' Supplies, Timber Games.

■ CHILCOMPTON SPORTS With both of their senior sides' Bristol & District League fixtures being washed out on Saturday, Chilcompton Sports were able to make use of the better weather on Sunday to face Hampset in the North Somerset League.