Sherborne 128 for 6

Wellington 98 for 9 (Charlie R 3 for 14)

Sherborne made a solid start to their season on the Upper with a 30-run win in the National Under 18 cup against Wellington School. Two decent partnerships, first between Fergus O’C and Patrick R and then at the end of the innings by JP T and Sam G, allowed us to score 128-6 off our allotted 20 overs.

The key to winning the game lay in two areas. First in creating scoreboard pressure which our openers managed by restricting Wellington to just 23 in the six overs of the first power play. Second in removing Wellington’s fast scoring middle order. Arthur R-G did exactly that despite one caught and bowled effort that resembled a man circling a broomstick. He was well backed up by some good catching and ground fielding, and by two excellent spells from skipper Charlie R, whose four overs brought 3-14, and Ben L whose three overs cost just six runs - parsimony personified - and secured two wickets, the final one a classy stumping from the reliable Sam G.

We will have a tougher test on Saturday against Taunton School but it was good to start the season well on The Upper in front of a pleasing crowd considering the wintry conditions.