OPENING bowler James Arney said that it was a ‘massive relief’ as Corsham broke their duck in Premier One this term.

The Station Road side headed to Bristol rooted to the foot of the table, having lost three of their opening four matches, with the other rained off.

However, Ashur Morrison’s men posted their highest score of the season – 253-9 – and batted the full 50 overs for the first time this campaign to set a platform for a 144-run victory.

Skipper Morrison led the way with the bat for the hosts with 71 while Wiltshire captain Michael Coles backed that up with a watchful 54 off 72 balls, which included five sixes.

The visitors then changed their bowling attack around, with former Worcestershire seamer Nick Harrison (1-33) joining Arney (2-26) in taking the new ball, with the top three Bristol batmen back in the hutch with only 40 on the board.

“Nick was almost too good for them,” Arney said. “He bowled really well and helped build up the pressure – he deserved more than the one wicket that he got.

“The pitch was offering a lot for the bowlers. It was swinging and seaming, which was ideal for us.

“The boys first did the job with the bat. We got our highest score of the season, batted the full 50 overs for the first time, and that was quite an achievement given how tough the wicket was for a batting side.

“Now we have got our first win, it is a massive relief, but it is also something that we have to build on and get some more points on the board, starting this weekend against Taunton St Andrew.”

Despite the success, Corsham were unable to climb off the bottom of the table as next Saturday’s hosts also tasted success for the first time this term when beating neighbours Taunton by 61 runs.

Meanwhile, Potterne continue to enjoy their first season in the top flight as they edged home by 11 runs against Clevedon.

Neil Clark’s side were bowled out for 272 with the penultimate ball as wicketkeeper and opener Tom Cullen struck 107.

The hosts got off to a solid start in their reply at Dial Hill, putting on 68 for the opening wicket, but some good middle-order bowling from Ed Young (3-45 off 10) helped build the pressure as Clevedon were dismissed in the 49th over for 261.

On Saturday, Potterne welcome third-from-bottom side Taunton to The Grove.