Uphill Castle Under-19s proved too strong for the Strugglers as they lifted the Wallis-Newport Cup.

Uphill Strugglers started this year’s campaign with a five wicket defeat at the hands of the impressive Uphill Under-19 side.

Batting first, John Davidson (41) and George Cox (23) put on 50 for the first wicket before Jacob Matthews (5-0-1 28) had Cox caught in the deep by Ward. Marcus Bail (20) joined Davidson and put on another 50 partnership, but the introduction of George Chapman (5-0-17-4) saw Davidson well caught behind by Paddy Holyday. Twort, Bliss and Tanner couldn’t cope with the spin of Chapman, but Ben Hodder (16) dug deep and with Llewellyn (20 not out) and Millard (13 not out) adding some gusto at the end, the Strugglers made it to 167 in their 30 overs.

The youth found it hard going against the pace of Phil Loud (5-0-22-2) and the spin of Bail (4-0-26-2). Bail was first to strike having Patch caught by a Cox/Davidson combo.

Loud took two wickets in two balls, first a towering catch well held by Cox snr, then he beat Holyday with sheer pace to put the Strugglers in a commanding position, but they joint men of the match Jake Llewelyn (61 not out) and Kieron Ward (52) took the game away from the Strugglers.

Skipper Cox brought himself on to bowl with the youth requiring six to win when he had Ward caught by the quick reactions of Loud, but it only prolonged the inevitable when the next ball was smashed by Llewellyn for four.

The Wallis-Newport Cup was presented to winning captain Sam Matthews.