Wellington U11 Blacks just failed to record a victory when Over Stowey were the visitors to Sampford Arundel on a sunny Sunday morning.

Oliver Hutchings, on calling incorrectly was sent in to bat and he himself led from the front as partnered by William Box they took 39 runs off the bat but the loss of 2 wickets, reduced the total to 227.

Oliver Heaton-Jones, in only his 2nd game, partnered by George Davisthen added a further 19 runs to reach 246 at the mid point of the innings.

The ‘Stowey attack then got on top as Robin Hill and Henry Allder found runs hard to come by and then the last pair of Ben Briddon and Alex Acton tried in vain to up the run rate, but the loss of 10 wickets in the innings and the reduction of 60 runs for this left a total of 240 to defend.

Like Wellington the visitors innings was a tale of 2 halves as the first 8 overs belonged to the hosts as first Davis and then Box got amongst the wickets as the score reached 218 with 8 overs left.

Matty and Jake for Over Stowey then played sensibly in taking the score within 5 of victory before Elise and Rhys took the score on to 260 at the end of the 15th.

Davis returned for one last effort and 2 wickets in the last over, reducing the score by 12 gave hope, but Over Stowey held on for a 9 run victory.

The ‘Blacks’ can be well pleased with their hail of 4 victories and a cancellation from their 11 games, as all of the squad have at least 1 more year in this age group, and many have 2 or 3.