Wellington were rudely awakened to the new Somerset League Division One season as they lost at home for the first time since August 2007 when they were despatched for just 59 by North Newton last weekend and thus lost by 49 runs in what was an incredible match and avoided by just three runs the ‘highest’ of their lowest ever totals in a league match dating back to when they entered the Somerset League back in 1974.

North Newton – who finished in a relegation position last season, but were not relegated due to technical considerations – opted to bat first and got to 38-3 in 22 good Wellington overs as Thom Trott let only ten runs go in six overs and Rowan Varkevisser strained for pace in taking 2-27 in 10 overs  as the Red and Blacks kept a tight rein on things.

Kevin Symons bowled a dozen overs for only 23 runs and got a wicket for his efforts as Newton’s choice to bat first did not appear to be working.

Simon Rudd with 3-9 in 10 excellent overs saw that North Newton went from 60-3 to 68-7 and all was going to plan for Wellington and even though J.Stone with 15no and P.Jenkins with a lusty 23 added 34 eighth wicket runs a final visiting team total of 108-9 in 45 overs was well within Wellington’s capacity and with skipper Paul Short taking 3-32 in seven overs all of the home side’s attack had done well.

Wellington were faced with a required run rate of just over two an over to win, but were soon under the cosh as they fell away to the tune of 38-7 as Sellick with 3-22 and A.Jenkins with 3-14 in nine overs each ran riot.

Barrington with 3-2 in six overs completed the rout as only Rob Moysey with 18 made it to double figures and his departure summed up Wellington’s time with the bat as Simon Rudd slammed an overpitched ball for what looked like four only for a Newton fielder to see the ball cannon off his leg and run Moysey out as he was backing up.

Wellington were dismissed in 30 overs and took eleven points to Newton’s thirty.

The team travel to Staplegrove next weekend.