Cricket: Plotting Corsham skipper Pete Dennett revealed how a hard-faced strategy helped account for an old teammate on Saturday as his side returned to winning ways in comfortable fashion.

The visit of Bridgwater saw the return of Michael Coles, Dennett’s predecessor as captain, to face his former club who were coming off the back of two straight defeats.

Having won the toss and asked the visitors to bat, the Wiltshire star made just one run from six balls before being dismissed by Tom Hankins, whose pre-match prediction proved prophetic.

“We had a little chat as a team beforehand and just ignored him,” said Dennett of the man he replaced.

“Colesy thrives on people giving him a bit of stick or talking to him in the middle so we gave him the cold shoulder.

“I still play golf with Colesy and we see each other quite often but it was nice to see the back of him early on this occasion.

“It was funny because Tom texted me the night before saying ‘I’m going to get Colesy out early on for you tomorrow’ and he came in just as I brought Tom on to bowl.”

Dennett won the toss at his home ground and admits he took a calculated risk which paid dividends as no Bridgwater batsmen passed 30 in their innings.

Alex Senneck, Nick Harrison and Hankins each took two wickets while spinner Jason Searle finished with 3-35.

Corsham had new signing Malinda Thotiwilage, a former Sri Lankan U19 player, opening the batting for them and he impressed with a classy 45.

Hankins completed a man-of-the-match display with an unbeaten 52 to finish the game in style after Coles gained a modicum of revenge by removing Dennett and wicket-keeper Steve Bullen.

“We have been looking for someone since Roger Sillence didn’t come back to us,” said Dennett of Thotiwilage.

“Jason Searle had been dipping into his contacts book and got in touch with someone at Durham.

“We were recommended him and he looked class, absolutely superb. He was the best batsman on the pitch along with Tom. He hits the ball hard and when he got out he apologised to the team.

“He bowls off-spin as well and hopefully he can start making hundreds at the top of the order which is something we’ve been missing.”

Corsham visit Frocester on Saturday.