Following a seventh win in eight indoor matches in the morning Wellington CC took to the field for the first match of the 2010 season with the Sunday XI travelling to Bishops Lydeard for a pre-season friendly against a side composed mainly from the host club’s 2nd XI and it was a successful day for Wellington as they came away with a 71 run win and several encouraging performances with a crucial Somerset League season just around the corner.

Paul Short opted to bat first and it was he and Max Capaldi who added a fine 69 run opening stand for Wellington with Short pulling the ball to leg well despite the lack of real bounce on a pitch that was well prepared even though the recent weather had been wet.

Short hit a fine 63 with ten good fours and Capaldi played a very important anchor role for 12.

Alex Sparks was watchful early on before really picking up the pace as he got to 57 – also with ten fours – as he guided Wellington towards 200.

Michael Gill showed evidence of his obvious talent with successive off-drives for four before he top edged one and was caught behind by Lydeard skipper Clift for 11.

Aks Latifi, Rob Moysey and Richard Henwood added gloss to Wellington’s total as the Red and Blacks posted 210-5 in 40 overs. Salter with 3-50 in 8 overs was Lydeard’s best bowler on the day.

Lydeard were kept in check by Adrian Lee and Michael Gill as their response to the 211 needed was not accompanied by the required run rate, but although Gill got a wicket through a great yorker with the score on one England with 29 and Street with 21 stayed firm and added 53 for the home side’s second wicket in a solid effort by both these players.

It took the introduction of spin to make the breakthough as Rob Moysey and Alex Sparks combined to take two wickets in successive Moysey overs.

Chamberlain and Fletcher settled into a 44 run fourth wicket stand and this never threatened to deny Wellington a win, but it was using up overs and wickets were not forthcoming, but Gill came back for a second and third spell and did the job for his new Club with 4-24 in 7.2 overs and with Adrian Lee (1-36 in 8 overs) coming back for a second burst the end was nigh for the home side and when Gill bowled Aspey Wellington had a 71 run win to savour.

Richard Short had bowled well for Wellington as first change and deserved some return for his efforts on a day when the season started on time and thanks go to Bishops Lydeard CC for their efforts and hard work in getting the game played despite the wet weather that had preceded the match.