SUNDAY CRICKET: Combe off the mark (From Chard & Ilminster News)

SUNDAY CRICKET: Combe off the mark

11:40am Wednesday 24th June 2009 in Sport By Sports reporter

A SPIRITED Combe St Nicholas finally recorded their maiden victory of the season against Chetnole at Ilton on Sunday.

Not only did Combe show the character of champions but the win was even more impressive given that many of the staple star names were missing for reasons which the Combe management are sure to be questioning. It was patched up journeymen Neil Wyatt and Raj Shaffique who guided the makeshift Combe side to victory.

Wyatt, playing with a groin strain, battled through the pain barrier for an hour to compile a flawless 61.

Wyatt drew on all of his 25 years of league cricket experience to punish the bad balls and defend the good.

Wyatt was the only batsman to make a significant contribution as Combe stuttered to a paltry 118.

However, Indian spinner Shaffique – playing with a debilitating shoulder injury – ripped the heart out of the Chetnole line up and finished with match winning figures of 5-9.

Lewis Hill took the final wicket to leave Chetnole 20 runs short and sending a message to the rest of the league that the defending champions are not to be discounted.