Wellington started their 2016-2017 Somerset Cricket Board Indoor League Division A season with a closely fought game against North Petherton – WEPL Somerset Division rivals in the summer season just ended.

There was nothing to separate the sides and after 24 overs of play the scores were tied.

Per the rules of the competition Wellington are deemed to be winners of the game by virtue of losing less wickets and so receive the three points on offer writes Alex Sparks.

North Petherton won the toss and invited Wellington to bat.

Arron Campbell and Alex Sparks got the side off to a positive start, bringing up their 50 partnership in the fourth over.

Sparks retired on 25 and Campbell was unlucky to chop on 2 runs short of a deserved 25.

Paul Short kept up the momentum in the Wellington innings and was ably supported by Nick Crossing on his debut indoor appearance.

Some tight bowling from Winter (1-20 off 3 overs) in the middle overs kept Wellington in check, but both Short and Crossing were able to retire on 25 and ran well between the wickets.

With wickets in hand Wellington had licence to push on and Ian Hewson showed his intent by advancing down the track and hitting his first ball for four.

Some positive running from Hewson and Jack Beal meant Wellington closed on 125-1 from their 12 overs.

Wellington started well in the field with a sharp run out from Paul Short seeing the back of Gibbs without facing a ball.

North Petherton came back into the game through Bowditch (25 retired) and Williams (25 retired) and this left the game evenly poised going into the final overs.

A tight penultimate over from Arron Campbell (1-23) saw North Petherton requiring 13 from the final over.

Jack Beal (1-23) held his nerve and maintained a disciplined line, but some scampering from the North Petherton batsmen meant they needed one to win from the final ball.

Beal beat the bat with the final ball and this allowed Sparks to run up to the stumps and run out Gregory who had made a good attempt to pinch a match winning bye.

This was a good start for the Red and Blacks to their winter campaign and they continue the indoor season with a match against Taunton St Andrews on Sunday 23rd October that starts at 4:55pm.