Bath CC 1st XI v Midsomer Norton CC 1st XI

Bath’s 1st XI picked up an important away win on Saturday, as they beat Midsomer Norton 1st XI by three wickets with just four balls to be bowled.

After winning the toss and electing to field, Midsomer Norton lost Jack Penn (4) early to opening bowler, Spencer Gammon. Ben Privett (20) soon followed, bowled by Gammon to leave the home side 39-2. Gabe Gallman-Findlay (26) was then removed by James Arney and with Norton 61-3, the home side had a lot of work to do. However, number four batter, Finn Kelsey then knuckled down and played the anchor role admirably, and as wickets continued to fall around him, he amassed 92 runs before becoming one of Gammon’s five victims as he returned to the attack to finish with exceptional figures of 5-31 from his ten overs. Norton eventually finished their innings on 226-9 from their 50 overs. 

Bath’s reply got off to the worst of starts as Jack Scrivens went first ball of the innings, trapped in front. But despite this early setback, Ben Wells (62) and Harry Dixon (71) put on 125 for the second wicket, but both batters were then out with Bath nicely set on 151-3 with 14 overs to be bowled. Whilst wickets continued to fall, skipper Harry Ellison (35*) continued to bat sensibly edging towards Norton’s total and with Spencer Gammon (8*), Bath got over the line with just four balls to be bowled. As a result of this three wicket win, Bath have lifted themselves out of the Prem One drop zone and are now focusing on facing bottom of the table, Thornbury next Saturday.