Westlands 155-9 Wellington 120
Wellington’s disastrous start to the new season continued with a 35 run defeat to in-form Westlands.
Unbeaten at home in 2008, this is now a distant memory for the Red and Blacks and have now lost all three home games this season.
Losing the toss, Wellington struggled to contain Westlands early in their innings and lacked penetration with the away side establishing a useful first wicket partnership of 48. Wellington, awaking belatedly, removed Davis (25) thanks to a smart caught and bowled by South African Varkevisser. Brought into the attack early, captain P Short (1-24) bowled with control and was rewarded with the wicket of danger man Boucher (27). Wellington rallied from this point, fielding and bowling well as a team stifling the Westlands innings which was well set at 85-2. Capaldi (5-40) bowled intelligently and deceived the opposition, varying his pace and flight effectively, accounting for top scorer Harper (33). Late lower order hitting from Westlands, ensured a respectable and challenging total of 155.
Chasing 156 to win on a slow pitch, only Moysey (41), Salter (28) and R Short (14) reached double figures.
The middle order, lacking confidence from previous defeats, broke down too easily playing with little composure and thought.
Spinner Dyer, 7-37, bowled well, but poor stroke selection was the main reason for his haul of wickets.
Wellington collapsed from 78-1 to 120 all out. This was particularly hard on Moysey, who batted superbly and deserved to be on the winning side.
Wellington need to bounce back quickly from this run of results and travel to Purnells next weekend.
