NAILSEA Cricket Club's 1st XI continued their impressive pre-season form with a comprehensive nine wicket win over Old Bristolians Westbury at the Grove Sports Centre.

NAILSEA Cricket Club's 1st XI continued their impressive pre-season form with a comprehensive nine wicket win over Old Bristolians Westbury at the Grove Sports Centre.

OB's, who were promoted from the WEPL Bristol & North Somerset Division last season, won the toss and chose to bat first.

Regular wickets fell throughout, with two apiece for Peter Hardcastle and Nick Jury preventing any momentum being built.

Opener Tom Parnell managed a well-constructed 40, but Rupert Swetman's 30 was the only other notable contribution as young leg spinner Harry Hope (4-45) removed the middle order and OB's were eventually bowled out for 143 in the 40th over.

In reply, Nailsea's openers looked in complete control as they set about the run chase. Matt Bryant (67 not out) and captain Russ Baker (52), returning from being stranded in Spain the week before, put on 128 for the first wicket, with Matthew Benn only required to come in and strike the winning boundary in the 25th over.

With two victories over higher division opponents, Nailsea will now be looking to carry this momentum into the league season, which begins at home to Claverham on Saturday.

Nailsea have four adult league teams to fill each Saturday and are still looking for new players with talent to offer.

If you are interested in joining the club, training takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6.30pm at the Grove Sports Centre. To find out more about the club, visit www.nailsea.play-cricket.com

Nailsea 4ths 185-7

Weston 4th's 188-7

NAILSEA 4ths travelled to Clarence Park to play a youthful Weston side on a pitch which certainly has not improved over the winter.

It is hard to believe that Somerset used to play festival cricket here until the 70s. After finding a tool to make holes for the stumps, the toss was one by Weston who had no hesitation in putting Nailsea in to bat.

Nailsea lost their two youngsters quickly, but veteran opener Keith Bell looked set for a determined innings after last week's disappointment . Joined by Mark Morgan on a debut 51, the pair put on 91 for the third wicket before Bell (63) holed out to Penwill. After Morgan fell three overs later only the sprightly John Fox (17 not out) offered further resistance, 37 extras making a respectable total.

Weston got off to a good start taking nine of Rich Billows' opening over before the normally accurate bowler found his length to dismiss the opener in his second over of his spell, the No 2 bat falling shortly after, bowled.

This brought Lawrence to the crease, who the Eaglets were relying on. He did not disappoint, hitting 40 before becoming a victim of young off-spinner David Iles, one of a pair he took. Will Balsam, playing his first cricket for a number of years, dismissed the middle order for his brace and at this point Weston felt they would lose as they had little batting left. It was not to be as a rearguard action by nine and 10 who carried their bats and eased them home with four overs to spare despite a brace of wickets for Alan Rogerson.