James Degg match winning innings
James Degg took centre stage as South Wilts launched the new season with a five-wicket win over ECB West of England Premier League club Downend at Bemerton.
He struck 11 fours and a six in scoring 89 as South Wilts chased the Downend total of 181 to win with time to spare.
Left-hand opener Mansoor Khan, with an unbeaten 82, glued the Downend innings together after Henry Dunlop (2-25) had struck two early blows.
The Bristol club were on the back foot after that and, with Tom Grant (2-28) and Trishawn Francis (2-20) each taking two wickets, Downend struggled to make 181.
South Wilts did, though, concede 38 sundries, a statistic skipper Ben Draper will want to reduce significantly at Sarisbury Athletic on Saturday, 1pm.
Degg and promising Matt Falconer (27) got South Wilts off to a flier, the young left-hander sending six drives to the cover boundary as 84 runs were scored before Downend broke through.
South Wilts lost three cheap wickets, but a 66-run stand between Degg and Draper (41 not out) ended any prospects of an away win.
Tom Pearce has taken over as South Wilts second team captain following last season’s relegation from Southern Premier League Division 3.
He enjoyed immediate success at the helm with a six-wicket win over Downend II, the flamboyant Henry Smith and teenager Tom Whiting taking two wickets each as the visitors scored 176-9.
Lawrence Yeo (45) and Adam Cutler (32) provided South Wilts to a 70-run start, which young gloveman Will Musgrove (38 not out) built on to guide the hosts to a comfortable win.
He struck 11 fours and a six in scoring 89 as South Wilts chased the Downend total of 181 to win with time to spare.
Left-hand opener Mansoor Khan, with an unbeaten 82, glued the Downend innings together after Henry Dunlop (2-25) had struck two early blows.
The Bristol club were on the back foot after that and, with Tom Grant (2-28) and Trishawn Francis (2-20) each taking two wickets, Downend struggled to make 181.
South Wilts did, though, concede 38 sundries, a statistic skipper Ben Draper will want to reduce significantly at Sarisbury Athletic on Saturday, 1pm.
Degg and promising Matt Falconer (27) got South Wilts off to a flier, the young left-hander sending six drives to the cover boundary as 84 runs were scored before Downend broke through.
South Wilts lost three cheap wickets, but a 66-run stand between Degg and Draper (41 not out) ended any prospects of an away win.
Tom Pearce has taken over as South Wilts second team captain following last season’s relegation from Southern Premier League Division 3.
He enjoyed immediate success at the helm with a six-wicket win over Downend II, the flamboyant Henry Smith and teenager Tom Whiting taking two wickets each as the visitors scored 176-9.
Lawrence Yeo (45) and Adam Cutler (32) provided South Wilts to a 70-run start, which young gloveman Will Musgrove (38 not out) built on to guide the hosts to a comfortable win.
Ben Draper hits out : pictures Roy Honeybone
