The first fixture of the season for Second Eleven saw them face Taunton School on the Upper. With contrasting weather from last season that saw a thrilling match end in the wet, cold and gloom, the sun was shining and the scene was, as ever, a picture. Huge congratulations to Tom and the grounds team for turning out a glorious wicket and outfield so quickly after the rugby season.

With Taunton arriving a little later than planned, Miles BH tossed up and elected to put the opponents in on a slightly green tinged wicket. This proved to be a great decision as Oz P, opening from the pavilion end claimed the first wicket of the season with the third ball, bowling the Taunton opener neck and crop with a nice away swinger. Taunton were soon two down when Oz lured the dangerous Taunton captain into a false stroke, with Harry S taking a confident catch at mid on, and the opposition were in further trouble at 17-3 with Oz taking his third, bamboozling the Taunton batter with other away swinger that clattered the stumps. Will W joined the wicket taking party to claim the more obdurent opener, Jamie D taking a tidy catch behind the stumps. Indeed, Will bowled hard and fast and was a potent threat during his new ball spell.

The introduction of spin brought immediate success. Hugo B was accurate and beguiling and with his second ball, claimed a beauty, turned one past the outside edge of the Taunton batter to trim the off stump. Hugo's control and flight were a delight to watch. Freddie B got in on the wicket taking, Jamie D running round to grab the catch after the Taunton number 7 fended off a short ball into the leg slip position.

At 34-6, it was looking like an early finish but a partnership of 62 gave the Taunton side something to defend. Sherborne were very generous and clearly fancied a bat as 7 chances were spilt and the fielding got a bit ragged, allowing Taunton a glimmer of hope of getting an awkward total.

Arthur D wheeled away with his left arm spin and was one of the unfortunate bowlers who saw chances grassed. Al P and Harry S then mopped up the innings with Taunton posting a below par 149-9.

After a delicious tea, provided by the ever present Janet from the catering team, Jamie G and Miles BH set about chasing the awkward 149 required. Totals like this can be difficult to run down as they can be perceived as an easy target, yet still need batting discipline to get. The Taunton openers troubled both batters with pace and swing. However, after Miles avoided a nasty bouncer first up, the Taunton bowler's radar went awry and wides started to top score. A couple of fluent boundaries from Jamie G got the scoreboard ticking until he chased a wide one and skied it to backward point where the Taunton fielder took a fine catch.

Jamie D came in at 3 and with Miles BH asserting himself against the Taunton bowlers, soon joined in with the boundary making. Miles gave the wayward bowling little respite and plundered anything loose with some powerful hitting. Departing at a near run a ball 51, it was left to Jamie D to polish off the innings, ending not out 59 off just 34 balls, an innings of powerful and elegant stroke play.

This was an excellent win but there will be tougher challenges ahead, particularly with Marlborough coming up in the week. Some more discipline in the field will be required and chances taken. However, the boys played the game in the right spirit, were competitive throughout and should be very happy with a confident first win.