Winscombe second team started their season with two encouraging performances.

WINSCOMBE seconds kicked off their season with a home tie against All Saints from Axminster.

Skipper Steve Vowles won the toss and elected bat and soon lost opener Julian Sage for 10, but with young Nick Hyden joining Vowles they moved the score past 50 before Hyden departed for a fluent 20.

Steve Bawden then entered the fray and together with Vowles (56) proceeded to hit the bowling to all parts, before Bawden departed for a fine 91. New signing John Reeves stroked 25 not out, Mike Coe (30) and Mark Elvins 10 not out as Winscombe finished on 244. Following a early wicket by Mike Coe, rain then intervened for a early finish.

The following week they travelled to play Spaxton and in high scoring game, lost in the last over.

Electing to bat first again Winscombe openers Steve Vowles (18) and Jury Cureton (20) took the score to 49, before losing both in quick succession. Spaxton’s bowlers then ripped through Winscombe’s middle order batting reducing them to 70-6, with only Steve Bawden making double figures.

However, a superb 140 run partnership between Rob Bradley and Mark Elvins rescued the situation. Youngster Bradley scored a fluent 73 which included two sixes, leaving Elvins (57 not out), also with two sixes, to take the score to 237-8.

In reply, Spaxton scored steadily but continued to lose wickets against a young bowling attack including 13-year-old Cam Frazer (2-20), Rob Bradley (3-35) and a good spell of 0-20 off his five overs from 13-year-old Josh Bawden.

Jury Cureton and Mark Elvins took a wicket each, but several dropped catches eventually cost Winscombe, with Spaxton reaching the total in the 45th over.