Wellington Sunday XI 144 - Burnham-on-Sea Sunday XI 107

Wellington's series of pre-season practice sessions paid dividends as the Sunday XI opened the 2008 season with a great win at Somerset League Division Two club Burnham-on-Sea last weekend when a great performance in the field - particularly from the spinners - brought about a 37 run win.

On a green track Burnham-on-Sea had no hesitation in asking Wellington to bat, but this was no issue to openers Matthew Daniel - this season's overseas player from South Africa - and 2nd XI vice-captain Kevin Crout as they added 87 runs in under 20 overs.

Daniel showed that he has class in making 44 with the square cut coming to the fore and he was closing in on a fifty in his first innings for the Red and Blacks when he speared one high and was well caught by Birkett.

Crout cracked two sixes in his offering of 45, but after he was out only one Wellington player recorded a double figure score as Marc Holloway made a good looking 26.

Wellington slid from 87-0 to 144 all out in under 20 overs as Brogden bowled accurately to take 4-23 in 9 overs and breke the back of the Wellington innings.

Green and Birkett came back on at the end and wrapped things up to leave the Red and Blacks needing to bowl well after tea having lost their way with the bat after being given a good start.

Ashfold and Steer gave Burnham-on-Sea - looking for third successive win in this fixture - a good start of 38 runs for the first wicket, although Adrian Lee bowled immaculately as he let only four runs go in his opening six over burst.

Wellington skipper Paul Short turned to spin early as he introduced himself and Max Capaldi to the attack and this was the change that brought them back into the match.

Capaldi took the first four wickets to fall as he got some big turn out of the pitch, taking 4-23 in 10 good overs.

Short got rid of Burnham keeper Batt and together they had bowled 20 overs for only 47 runs and had taken 5 wickets.

The only Burnham batsman to give Wellington any issues was Ashfold who made 54, but was eventually well caught by Adrian Lee off of Matthew Daniel who capped a great debut with 4-17 in 6 overs as his off-spin profited too.

Lee Nicol had a good senior debut as he claimed a wicket late on and held the match winning catch to give Wellington a 37 run win.

This weekend sees two matches on offer as the Sunday XI entertain Brixham at home on Saturday 26th April and then travel to Street on Sunday 27th April.

The Brixham match starts at 1.30pm and the Street match 2.00pm.