Wellington 3rd XI had the honour of starting the 2019 Somerset League season when they entertained Crewkerne 2nd XI in Division Seven South in a game that had been brought forward by mutual agreement from its original May date and was sponsored by ABC Cleaning Services.

Crewkerne’s second string won the toss in a game that was made possible to be played by the hard work of several WCC members and their efforts are commended against a background of a wet midweek and a stormy weekend making for some difficult pitch preparation circumstances.

Trevor Brooks and Macaulay Campbell opened up for Wellington and they added very nearly a half century for the first wicket which was ended when Campbell was bowled for 14 with one six as the accurate seamer Carr struck.

Sam Nelson made the first league half century of the season for the Red and Blacks as he eased his way to 53 with some good wristy shots as he saw that Wellington had a base to attack from later in the game.

From Nelson been dismissed at 154-5 Andy Hurry with 31no and Rob Moysey with 22no each hit two sixes as Wellington closed just short of 200 at tea as Crewkerne stuck well to their task with Fry taking 3-14 in six good overs of seam to be the visitors best offering in the bowling figures stakes.

A robust stand of 42 between R.James and Male saw that Wellington did not gain early success with the ball and Crewkerne had a base to go on from.

Tom Shannon and Ryan Henwood took the new ball for Wellington and bowled with great effort given how strong the wind was on the day as ‘Storm Hannah’ came calling; Henwood deserves a dollop of praise for showing excellent stamina as he bowled eight overs in a row up the hill and let just 23 runs go.

Shannon delivered seven overs in two spells and was rewarded with a wicket in his second spell as Wellington chased full bowling bonus points.

Andy Hurry with 2-13 in six overs broke the Crewkerne opening stand as R.James played on for 17, but Male continued to 46 which was a good effort all round.

Connor Wickenden’s slow left arm spin did a good deal for Wellington as he claimed 2-32 in eight decent overs and the brakes had been put on Crewkerne’s run chase.

Macaulay Campbell claimed a wicket late on and Rob Moysey found himself on a hat trick as Wellington dropped just two points all game to take 33 to Crewkerne’s 11.