A fine innings from West Somerset League Division Three club North Curry’s J.Odey as he made 120no to lead his side from trouble and then to victory was the highlight of this pre-season match between the home side and a side drawn down from, in the main, Wellington’s second string as outdoor action for 2017 commenced over the Easter weekend.

Ben Evett won the toss and decided to bat on a cool and sunny day and saw Mark Salter and Aks Latifi put 24 runs on the board, but this score soon altered to 28-3 as Harris and Powell claimed three wickets for just four runs to set Wellington back.

Chris Shapland joined the Red and Blacks overseas player for 2017 Kayden Hine and they got their side’s innings back on track with a stand of 64 for the fourth wicket as Shapland made a good 33 that saw him pick the gaps well.

Hine moved on to 75 and was eighth out at 188 as he was assisted by each of Arron Campbell, Richard Henwood and Jake Nichol who each made 11 to see that Wellington approached 200.

Hine was composed whilst at the crease and showed excellent technique in cutting the ball and in the end was caught in the deep.

Harris with 3-12 in seven overs did well with the ball for North Curry.

Needing 205 to win saw North Curry not begin well with the bat as Jake Nichol’s initial burst of six overs saw him take 2-12 and with two runs out – one a direct hit from Richard Henwood – Curry were in deep trouble and at 58-5 with Powell caught behind by Ben Evett off of Richard Henwood Wellington were looking good.

Odey was building an innings all the time as he picked the gaps well and played well to leg too as he added 69 for the sixth wicket with Joliffe and then the match winning 81 run seventh wicket stand with Harris saw him play a fine hand and this was deserving of a win on a personal basis.

Richard Henwood let little go, but North Curry won with some 13 balls to spare.

Wellington’s pre-season schedule took them to Somerset League Premier Division club Yeovil CC the next day and this coming weekend it is on to Taunton CC and Weston Super Mare CC.