Firsts unable to avoid drop

Mid Norton 1st XI 196-8 Chard 1st XI 198-4

Midsomer Norton’s faint hopes of avoiding relegation from the WEPL Bristol & Somerset Division were ended with a defeat in the season finale.

After a week’s heavy rain, Norton lost the toss and were inserted to bat on a damp pitch. Despite great efforts by club members, the conditions meant that the toss was always going to be vital.

However, things looked bright at first for Norton as openers Nick Pang – throwing caution to the winds as usual – and Nick Cox put on 76 for the first wicket before both departed quickly.

Martin Cox could not find the form that had been with him for most of the season as he was bowled for 18. Skipper Nick Potter batted well for his 31 and was supported by James Harvey and Dean Clifton to enable his team to reach 196-9 from their allotted overs.

Chard’s openers looked to attack Andrew Cox and Joel Sims from the start but could not find the middle of their bats.

However, they soon got used to the quickly drying pitch and put on 32 for both the first and second wickets. Dangerman Kuhn departed for a duck and when Hayes followed quickly, at 81-4, Norton scented victory.

This meant that skipper Scott and Dalwood came together and both batted well to reach 50.

No further wickets fell as Chard reached the required total but Norton can go down with their heads held high after showing their potential in the final quarter of the season.