WOOTTON Bassett eased to a 56-run victory over Colwell in their opening Glos/Wilts Division One game.

Bassett were put into bat, and openers Chahal and Elliott struggled in the early overs. Chahal was out to a loose shot. John Clarice then joined Elliott at the wicket and they took the total past the 100 mark.

The Bassett run rate needed to be increased with only 20 overs left. Elliott was caught in the deep for a useful 30, South African Richie Nienaber scored 30 and John Clarke finished with an excellent 50 as Bassett totalled 201-9 in their 50 overs.

Colwell's reply was strangled in the early overs with the opening pair of Alleyne and Smith bowling the first eight overs for seven runs.

But then Spencer Powell began to increase the run rate and along with Wolfendale they got to grips with the Bassett bowling.

Skipper Steve Twine made a double change, bringing himself on and introducing Nienaber on at the other end.

This produced an instant breakthrough, Twine removing Powell off his first ball for 38. Aussie Thomas joined Wolfendale and continued to push the score on to over the 100 mark.

Steve Twine then bowled Wolfendale after a loose shot for 41, but at this point Colwell still needed 100 runs for victory and with 20 overs left it was set for an exciting finish.

But with Nienaber finding his line and length and a combination of the Twine brothers tying up the other end, and some superb fielding, Colwell fell apart and they were bowled out for 145.

Neil Twine finished with 2-9, Steve Twine with 3-43 and Richie Nienaber capped a fine all-round display on his debut with 4-42.