Midsomer Norton Methodists' Baker goes solo to slay Old Bristolians

A stunning performance from Midsomer Norton Methodists' David Baker, who hit 110 not out and then took 6-6, almost single handedly carried his team to a 60-run win over Old Bristolians Westbury 4ths in Division IV of the Saturday Conference.

Baker's innings included 18 boundaries in his side's total of 190-4 and he followed up with personal-best bowling figures after openers Matt Grute (40) and Tom Counsell (29) had given the Old Bristolians Westbury reply a flying start.

To make his performance with the ball extra special, all six of his victims were bowled.

Dyrham & Hinton's 34-game unbeaten run in Division I, which dates back to August 2006, came to an end with a 70-run defeat at Bath 3rds, who replaced them at the top of the table.

Bath batted first and lost two early wickets, both to Yuvaraj Ramadass, before South African Lloyd Katz (69) and Josh Rurawhe (34) launched a recovery.

Greg Brown, with 29, and Danny Wills, who cracked 38 off 13 balls late on, ensured that a challenging target of 237 was set.

For once, Dyrham made a poor start, losing two early wickets, and although Graeme Webb (52) and Rich Elliott (28) steadied the ship, their dismissals signalled a collapse.

Wrington remained in joint third place after 19-year-old-Dan Tapson took 6-22 in a seven-wicket home against Stratton on Fosse. The visitors were skittled out for 72 before Mick Edmonds scored 42 as Wrington ended a two- match losing spell.

Old Bristolians Westbury recorded their first win of the season to climb off the bottom of the table, beating Saltford Fairway by eight wickets.

The Old Boys, having been set a challenging 247 to win, saw Paul Millward record his first-ever century in the Saturday Conference, 114 not out, as he and Simon Eakins (87) ensured the Failand-based side reached their target. Wes Taynton top-scored for Saltford with 91.

Backwell Flax Bourton's relegation worries increased after they were shot out for 102 in a nine-wicket home defeat by Mells.

Grendel and Knowle West are joint top of Division II after recording impressive wins. Grendel beat previous leaders Shoscombe Village by 54 runs, with Steve Handoll the star of the show. He hit 130, the highest score in Grendel's history, out of a total of 250.Youngster Tom Clark top-scored with 86 for Shoscombe, who ended on 196-8.

Knowle West secured a comfortable seven-wicket win over bottom club Exiles (Bath), who slumped to 116 all out despite Mark Poore's 39 as Rob Bailey, Russ Lippett and Stewart Cole all took two wickets. Opener Darren Weeks set Knowle West on their way with 27 before skipper Clive Bailey (21) and Ashley Bailey (17) saw them home.

Whitchurch 2nds went down to their fourth defeat in a row, beaten by four wickets by Brislington 3rds. Set 153 to win, Ian Dowding hit 41 for Brislington.

Weston super Mare 3rds also maintained their promotion hopes with an eight-wicket win over Bath Hospitals, Pete Lomax (71no) and Matt Rihan (64) steering them to their target of 193.

Stanton Drew's Gary Smart produced a man-of-the-match performance with 76 and 3-38 to inspire his side to a 40-run victory over fellow relegation strugglers Bristol.

Smart's innings included 7 sixes and he received useful support from Steve Croucher (23), Richard Keel (46) and Richard Saunders (30) in the Droopers' total of 222. Saunders followed up with three wickets as Bristol were bowled out for 183.

Division III leaders Dyrham & Hinton 2nds maintained their unbeaten record with a 14-run triumph in a thriller against Bath 4ths which produced 566 runs.

Their total of 290-3 was built around a fine second-wicket stand of 197 between James Toghill (113), his first century in senior cricket, and Robert Watkins (80). Bath made a game of it and a second- wicket stand between opening batsman Kamlesh A Pillai (83) and Gavin Royce (96) raised the possibility of an unlikely victory before both were dismissed by Gary Parsons.

Second-placed Harptree Village lost in the last over by one wicket to Midsomer Norton 3rds.

Old England Bristol Sikhs went down to their third successive defeat to remain perilously close to the relegation area after defeat by four wickets at Churchways.

Old England were dismissed for 103, Rich Wiltshire taking 3-23. In reply, Churchways appeared to be cruising to victory at 66-1, but the dismissal of Ron O'Connor for 35 precipitated a collapse, as the home side lost five wickets for 18 runs, three of which fell to Old England skipper Gareth Despres. However, John Potter's unbeaten 26 clinched victory for Churchways.

Bottom team GWR Shunters recorded their first win of the season, beating Ston Easton by 99 runs. Ben Moore was their match-winner, following up his 41 with 3-31.

Nailsea stayed top of Division IV after a five-wicket win against Old Park, who were skittled out for 80.

Matt Parfitt took 5-23 for bottom-of-the-table Midsomer Norton 4ths, who beat Oldfield Park by 152 runs.

Whitchurch A pulled of a surprise nine-wicket win over high-flying Lansdown. Scott Wright and Martin Wall each finished with three wickets as Lansdown slumped to 109 all out.

Division V leaders Wrington's seven-match unbeaten record was ended by a 61-run defeat against Keynsham 3rds, who join them at the top of the table.

Openers James Whetton (65) and Tom Bancroft (30) starred with the bat as Keynsham made 216-8 despite four wickets for the impressive Matthew Fowler. Matt Hill weighed in with 51 not out and completed a fine individual display by taking four wickets as Wrington closed on 155 all out.