A Wellington CC pre-season team captained by 2nd XI skipper Alex Troake came away from West Somerset League Division One club North Curry CC last Saturday with a 26 run win as the 2021, happily, began on time.

A minute’s silence in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh was held prior to the start and the match itself was played under the ECB’s COVID19 guidelines.

Curry asked Wellington to bat first and it was Thom Trott and Neil Hendy who stepped out for Wellington and added 33 opening wicket runs with Hendy using the unguarded third man area to good effect as he made 25.

From 55-3 with Jacob Hurry making a good 11 it was an 82 run fourth wicket stand between Andy Hurry and Rob Moysey that did excellent work in the Red and Blacks middle order.

Making 38 and 36 respectively they saw the score rise really quite nicely in the middle overs.

After they had been prised apart it was Lewis Sparks with a decent 37no and Ollie Hunt who added 19 for the ninth Wellington wicket and got their side to 187-9 in 40 overs as Harris with 4-16 in seven overs was the best Curry bowler on the day.

After a socially distanced break with players supplying their own food and drink it was Curry’s chance to chase down 188 to win in 40 overs.

They were not allowed to get going as Lee and Jake Nichol took the new ball for Wellington and saw the back of both Cruickshank and Chilcott as Jake removed them by the time Curry’s score had reached 26.

Baverstock hit a good looking 22 before he gave Alex Troake a catch off of Ollie Hunt (1-30 in five overs).

Curry skipper Odey, who was last man out for his side with a well made 69, played the outstanding knock of his team’s effort, but received little support.

Alex Troake delivered three maidens in a row in the five overs that he sent down and there was a wicket for Lewis Sparks as he continued to have a good day.

Ian Hewson’s five over burst brought him the pleasing figures of 3-18 as he was accurate at all times.

Curry’s Harris added 22 runs to his four wickets as he and Odey added 30 for the ninth wicket as Curry did not give up all hope of winning at 131-8 when they came together, but Neil Hendy (2-20) and Rob Moysey with 1-18 ended matters with just over three overs going unused by Curry and with it Wellington had won their opening game of the season.