Wellington’s preparations for the new season took them to WEPL Premier One side Taunton last Saturday and the usual batting paradise was on offer as the game was played on the host Club’s second pitch and runs flowed all afternoon.

Taunton batted first and batted well as a combined unit as Webber and Puddy put on 57 first up – the stand was broken when Arron Campbell took a low slip catch to give Jack Beal a wicket.

Webber was joined by Preston and they got Taunton to three figures before Preston was trapped LBW by Lee Nichol – another wicket came his way when Jack Beal caught a skier from Abell and with Phillips with 42 and Hake with 31 weighing in Taunton were closing in on 300, but spin from Arron Campbell, Rob Moysey and Ben Evett saw five wickets were taken for 52 before a declaration came with three balls to spare.

Zandre Swartz laid into the Taunton attack from the off as he made 81 with eight cleanly hit sixes and took twenty eight off of Hake’s third over to leave him having leaked fifty runs in three overs.

He added 107 with Arron Campbell who made a fine 25; both fell victim to Burke who saw them caught behind and at slip respectively.

A middle order wobble for Wellington was arrested by Lewis Sparks who batted well for 35 and Rob Moysey who did likewise for 31.

Spin was the best option with the ball for Taunton too as Puddy with 4-25 and Toohey with 2-26 did damage, but Wellington posted over 200 in reply and can be pleased with their overall showing against a strong side from a strong Club.