Lansdown cruise to win at Midsomer Norton

Lansdown 1st XI produced a stunning all round display, beating Midsomer Norton in the first game back in the Bristol/Somerset Division.

After being put into bat with slight rain falling the early loss of Jordan Smith (5) brought Tom Hankins to the middle. The skipper alongside Joe Jenkins picked up the scoring rate adding 82 for the 2nd wicket. Jenkins compiled a well made 59 from 52 balls. Hankins was beginning to play an array of shots all round the ground and alongside Reece Croker making his league debut for the club boundaries were beginning to flow.

Croker was run out for 24, and Andy Owen coming out retirement fell lbw for 2, Lansdown were 196-4 in the 30th over. But a partnership of 116 in quick time with Darren Barnes (39) took the game away from Norton. Hankins brought up a well deserved 100 and then went on to smash bowlers to all parts making 188 off 135 balls including 23 fours and 5 sixes being dismissed in the 49th over. Ashley Book and Matt Thomas took Lansdown to the 50th over at 357-6.

Josh Smith and Reece Croker took the new ball and set the tone for what was to come with both bowlers beating the bat on numerous occasions.

Smith picked up the first wicket that of Nortons overseas Bokang Mosema LBW for just 7 but despite fine opening spells Norton reached 45-1 after 12 overs. Then the introduction James Dunning (3-23 off 7) fresh from his winter fishing expeditions took 2 wickets in two balls reducing Midsomer Norton to 45-3. Runs were beginning to dry up and Chris Day (3-25 off 10) alongside Dunning began to take wickets at regular intervals as 63-3 became 80-7.

Reece Croker then picked up his first wicket for the club, but it was then time for the skipper to come on and finish the game with Hankins (2-4 off 2.2) taking two quick wickets meaning Midsomer Norton were all out for 111.

A fine display with bat, ball and in the field means hopes are high going into the first home game of the season.

LCC MOM: Tom Hankins