A stellar batting performance and a superb all round contribution from skipper, James Midmer was just enough to see off The Nutters in this tense Sunday fixture.

Batting first. Midmer (69) made a cautious start, the perfect foil for the more aggressive stroke play of Calvert. The opening attack of Graham Prior and Jordan Crow bowled well but couldn’t find the breakthrough. The batsmen were the architects of their own downfall, when Bob Samways swooped on the ball as the batsmen dithered and ran out Calvert (80), to break the opening partnership of 144 and collect the takings in The Nuthurst Pig.

Fernando came in at no 3, but suffered a shoulder injury playing at an innocuous delivery. He retired hurt and ventured off to A & E to assess the damage. Jeremy James was the next to strike, Samways took a comfortable catch to dismissed Dickenson for 6.

MIdmer and Steve Barton set about the Nuthurst attack. Barton scored 22 from one James over, on his way to a thumping 39. Having just been deposited for 6 deep into the National Trust woodland, Weston bowled a slower ball which eluded the batsman and Guy Ekins gathered for a sharp stumping.

There was little respite for the bowlers as S WInslett (19 N.O) carried on where Barton had left off. Fizzing the ball to all parts of the ground. By this time, Midmer was also in full flow and scoring at will. Midmer was eventually bowled by Jonny Willis and Mites was caught by Samways to complete a fine afternoon in the field for the Nuthurst Skipper from the bowling of Weston.

A Dickenson was also bowled by Willis and a score of 252-7 looked a daunting total. The bowlers had taken a savaging, but the game was there to be won.

In reply, Guy Ekins continued his mercurial early season form, opening the innings with Johnny Willis (39). Their adversaries were father and son combination of Steve and Toby Winslett. In the early exchanges.

The openers made 94, when Willis spooned a Sunderland delivery to Midmer, who would continue to influence the game. Bob Samways came in at number 3 and nurdled away as Ekins hit out. Ekins then skied the ball to A Dickenson on the edge of the square.

David Thompson was the next man in. He soon set out his stall and bludgeoned his way to swift 14 before firing the ball straight back at Midmer for the first of two blistering c & B catches.

In at No 5, a very welcome sight was a guest appearance by hard hitting batsmen, Buzz McKenna. The Nutter’s prodigal son now resides in Boston USA. It didn’t take long to get his eye in. He thudded a speedy 13 before suffering the identical fate as Thompson. Probably at a cost of £50 per run? It was that man Midmer again. But all of this furious activity meant that The Nutters were well up with the required run rate.

Midmer and Barton (10-1-44-2) continued to apply pressure to the batting side Graham Prior hit 3 solid boundaries before making a disgruntled exit, LBW to Midmer for 12.

Up to this point, an unlikely away win was still on the cards. Midmer’s halcyon performance continued though. He bowled Will Morris for 3, whilst Crow was stumped off the bowling of Barton. Jeremy James was unlucky to play onto his stumps, having struck 11 valuable runs. Will Morris was the next Midmer victim, bowled for 5. Ollie Prior was unable to cope with a ball that jagged back Midmer who finished his rout with figures of 11.2-0-66-6. He demolished the Nuthurst tail from a healthy 228-7 to 229 all out with Weston left stranded on 0 N.O.

A very enjoyable match, with the home side good enough to enjoy the win.