Wellington recorded their first win of the new league season with a determined six wicket victory over local rivals Staplegrove. 

After a disappointing opening defeat to North Newton, a motivated and disciplined Wellington side responded professionally with a vastly improved performance.

Surprisingly, Staplegrove elected to bat first on a lively May wicket offering unpredictable bounce and movement.  

This was duly exploited by South African apprentice Rowan Varkevisser, who bowled an explosive opening spell accounting for both openers – Sizer and Craggs.  Both batsmen were beaten ‘all ends up’ by late movement, the latter emphatically yorked by Varkevisser. 

Kevin Symons, unofficially the unluckiest bowler in the league, ably supported Varkevisser but his efforts went unrewarded. 

As Staplegrove attempted to rebuild, Thom Trott, introduced earlier into the attack, produced a lifter to remove Pantling with Marc Holloway taking an excellent catch at first slip.  Trott was a nuisance all afternoon, his height extracting awkward and at times unplayable bounce. 

Hodge (23) and Fitt (26) restored order to the Staplegrove innings with some lusty blows, before Wellington skipper Paul ‘never far from the action’ Short removed both with sharply spinning deliveries. 

Short was in good form and bowled 12 continuous overs finishing with deserved figures of 4-39. 

Jeans (34no) batted patiently under pressure for Staplegrove and added respectability to the innings before running out of partners. 

Varkevisser (5-29), buoyant from his opening spell, bowled with hostility at the death and returned with a further 3 wickets to restrict the home side to 143 all out off 40 overs.

This run chase was never going to be easy for Wellington, losing the talismanic Salter (8) early. 

Rob Moysey (41) grafted in ‘Boycottesque’ fashion and anchored the innings beautifully allowing the free flowing Alex Sparks (59) to play an array of classic cricket strokes. 

His innings was timed perfectly and he took the game away from Staplegrove launching 20 off one decisive over. 

A late flurry of wickets by Sizer and Miller failed to stop Wellington and Holloway (14no) saw that the Red and Blacks cantered home with five overs to spare to record their first victory of the season. 

A special mention goes to the WCC supporters club who were in full voice throughout.