Wellington played their first game in the Somerset League for six seasons last weekend and saw that they recorded an opening day success for the first time since their last season in the County League set up back in 2012 as they overcame a strong Taunton St Andrews 2nd XI who have benefited from their 1st XI strengthening their hand now that they are back in top level of WEPL cricket.

Arron Campbell, in his first game as 1st XI team captain, chose to ask TSA to bat first in pleasingly warm conditions and his bowlers did not disappoint on having the chance to take first use of the new ball.

Luke Desave with 0-21 in nine overs and Ian Hewson with 1-12 in seven with three maidens opened up well for Wellington and it was Hewson who struck first when Tom Poole was bowled with the score on 14.

The arrival of former pro player Kevin Parsons at the crease saw him play with no issues; that was until Jack Beal bowled him as he gave him the charge and at 44-3 TSA were needing to consolidate matters.

However Beal had other ideas as he collected 3-16 in six excellent overs of left arm medium fast bowling and this coupled with Neil Hendy taking same in nine overs saw TSA’s second string dip to 57-7 with Will Derrick giving good seam based support.

Arron Campbell with 3-22 wrapped matters up and although a nagging last wicket stand between Draper and Woodland took TSA past three figures Wellington had 109 to chase to record their first win in ten league games.

The bowling of Eggbeer and Clements roared into action and Wellington found themselves at 27-5, but a solid sixth wicket stand of 35 between Neil Hendy, who remained unbeaten on 16no and saw his team home, and Jack Beal who hit a run a ball 18 propelled Wellington towards their target; after Beal was out Aks Latifi took up the mantle of being Hendy’s partner and his valuable 16 runs took the Red and Blacks almost to the win they craved… Latifi was out with ten needed and it was Lewis Sparks who saw the home side over the line and to 33 excellent points…

TSA took 12 points and Eggbeer’s final figures of 4-25 in nine overs are worthy of merit.