Midsomer Norton’s confidence was high as they won the toss and asked the Deane to bat. League positions suggested a straightforward afternoon’s work and the regular fall of Deane wickets seemed to confirm the away supporters’ worse fears.

Only Bertie Michael, returning after a hand injury, looked comfortable as he glided his way to a stylish 30 before miscuing to mid-on. Callum Harvey and Paul Robbins worked their usual magic to take six for 27 between them in 14 overs. 

The Deane innings ended in the 28th over with Extras contributing 21 to the total of 97. Few would have predicted how important those runs would be.

The Deane decision to open with spin from one end immediately saw the pendulum swing as Midsomer Norton found themselves 11 for two with Rufus Williams-Pritchard removing both openers. 

Tenny Harlow was busy behind the stumps taking a good catch off the bowling of Ben Squire and a swift and clean stumping off the bowling of Sam Burgess. 

The ninth wicket fell when the score was at 77. Both spinners were running out of overs and as the score edged into the 90s, the Deane were looking for a piece of drama to bring them just their second win of the season. 

That moment came. Jim Brehaut’s left arm ball moving across the stumps to the right handed batter took the edge and was hurtling through the space where first slip might have been. Tenny Harlow’s leap was high, wide and, from a Deane perspective, mighty handsome. Midsomer Norton were dismissed for 95. That 95 included just 7 extras. 

If the champagne moment was Tenny Harlow’s then the man of the match was Rufus whose 10 overs showed an extraordinary return of five for 22, by some distance his best figures in First XI league cricket.

Back at the Deane on Saturday evening with the last of the Flower Show cars leaving, there was certainly talk of the first team win but there was much to celebrate from the other four Saturday teams. Harry Quirk followed his 89 opening the batting for the Third XI with three wickets while Charles Balston scored his maiden 50 for the Fifth XI.

Three wins and two losses – another good Saturday for the 55 players who represented the Deane.

Next Saturday sees the First team travel to Weston-Super-Mare while the Second are at home to Bridgwater Third XI.