CONGRESBURY managed to beat the elements as well as the opposition in a convincing victory in their opening league game of the season away to Hambrook.

CONGRESBURY managed to beat the elements as well as the opposition in a convincing victory in their opening league game of the season away to Hambrook.

Winning the toss and inserting the home side in helpful bowling conditions, Congresbury immediately had Hambrook in difficulty as opening bowlers Steve Baker and Neal Frost took early wickets aided by some good catching, to leave Hambrook at 36 for 5.

A partnership of 42 between Vickery and Kislingbury took Hambrook to 78 for 6 and the tail fought hard to set a total as the intensity of the fielding side eased a little, the last wicket adding 30 as the innings finished on 147 all out. Baker, Frost and Bullock each picked up three wickets.

Kieran Palmer and Clint Harding made a mockery of suggestions that this could be a tricky target in the conditions as they set about the bowlers from the off, Kieran taking 17 off the opening over after tea. Striking the ball powerfully all around the wicket, he hit 17 fours in completing a match-winning 87 not out off only 56 balls.

The pace of the opening partnership to set up the win meant that the only concern to the batting side was the weather, as steady drizzle threatened an abandonment. Clint, who played an excellent supporting role to Kieran despite still scoring at nearly a run per ball, was dismissed for 35 trying a more extravagant shot to hasten the end. This brought in Mike Fisher for a brief cameo as the Hambrook total was passed in exactly 20 overs.

Congresbury have a home fixture versus Nailsea next weekend.