Duffin sparks victory bid

2:42pm Friday 7th July 2006

WINSLEY: ZIMBABWE captain Terrence Duffin led Winsley to their second win in the Bristol and North Somerset League with a superb all-round display against league leaders Congresbury.

Duffin claimed four wickets to help reduce the visitors to 178-9 and finished unbeaten on 75 as Winsley reached their target for the loss of just two wickets. The morale-boosting win has given captain Andy Ellett renewed optimism as the villagers look to haul themselves from the foot of the league table.

He said: "Overall, it's been a disappointing start to the season but with some encouraging signs. "Before Saturday we had managed to push the top sides close without closing games out so it's nice to finish the first half of the season with a win."

Ellett revealed he would have chosen to bowl first on Saturday had the decision not been made for him when Congresbury won the toss and elected to bat. Some tidy bowling from veteran Jon Spencer kept the visitors on a tight leash before a mid-innings surge took the score to 135-2.

Ellett kept faith with Andrew Cross, who leaked 50 runs in his first five overs, and the move paid dividends as Cross picked up four wickets in his next seven overs. From the other end Duffin bowled with great skill and determination to return figures of four for 52 and establish a target of 179.

In reply, Charlie Horton and Spencer shared a promising stand of 50 before both openers were removed in quick succession. That brought Duffin and Ellett to the crease and together the pair batted sensibly to ease Winsley to victory, the captain finishing unbeaten on 25.

"Five of our next seven matches are at home, which should help us improve our league position. "We know how the wicket plays at Winsley and hope to use that to our advantage," said Ellett.