FAIRFORD seconds finally got their season underway after two blank Saturdays.

Sweetfuels CDCA Div Two

Fairford II 179-7

South Cerney 113 all out

Following promotion last year, they won their first match in CDCA Division Two at home to South Cerney by 66 runs.

Asked to bat first, Fairford's very experienced top order laid an excellent platform. Paul Freeman (50), Rich Cowley (42) and David Taylor (23) all scored well. However, the middle order struggled against some sharp, tight bowling, led by the visiting skipper Garrick Chivers, who was well worth his excellent figures of 4-18.

Paul Morris and Dan Godwin steered the home team to a final total of 179-7, ensuring the fourth batting point.

Fairford then bowled and fielded with real purpose, establishing control early on and not letting up.

Morris set the tone with 10 miserly overs straight through for the exceptional return of 4-16. He was well supported by the rest of the attack, particularly young Olly Holland, who removed the dangerous Dave Wheeler (South Cerney's top scorer with 25).

Crucially the home side held all its catches, including three at slip by Simon Embleton-Smith and Mike Bowman showed the way on the ground, including a sharp run-out.

South Cerney were all out for 113 in the 37th over.