Wellington concluded their pre-season fixtures with this eight wicket defeat at Yeovil based Westlands last Sunday when the side who now play in Division Two of the Somerset League following their departure from WEPL in 2014 were in control.

Westlands asked Wellington to bat first and Marc Holloway and Arron Campbell had to see off a decent opening burst from left arm seamer Murphy who let little go in the seven overs he delivered in two spells.

With Higgins in good form at the other end run scoring was at a premium, but things eased as Sam Murdock and Wian Gouws raised the Wellington score past fifty with Murdock playing the anchor role and Gouws the attacking one as he took 18 from one of Higgins overs.

When the South African was out for 23 Paul Short came to the crease and made a fine 27 in conditions that were still bowler friendly; all this time Murdock was compiling a decent knock of his own.

Aks Latifi made 18 before being stumped and at 105-5 Wellington were looking to get to around 150 and back themselves with a new ball and a bowling favourable pitch, but there were only 23 more forthcoming as Murphy with 3-12 saw the tail did not wag despite Sam Murdock’s 40.

Westlands set about their target of 129 in good style as White and Watts played well first up, but both were removed by Will Derrick (2-25) who saw Luke Desave take another good high catch to go with this tally from the previous day, but Legg and S.Reeves would not be parted as they took their side to a win despite the best efforts of Charlie Burrough whose five overs cost just nine runs.

Wian Gouws showed an aptitude with the ball too as his opening burst was skiddy and delivered with no little pace.