Ellet hopes to relieve pressure

4:33pm Friday 12th May 2006

WINSLEY skipper Andy Ellett is desperate to record a win in the Bristol and North Somerset League before Zimbabwe captain Terrence Duffin arrives at the club next week.

Duffin, whose team trail 4-0 in the current one-day series against the West Indies, will make his debut on May 20 against league newcomers Almondsbury. Ellett said: "It would be nice to get a win before Terrence arrives because it will take the pressure off him. We should have one or two players back this week so I'm confident we can do well."

Winsley, who were saved from relegation last season by league restructuring, lost their opening game of the 2006 campaign by 66 runs on Saturday. Batting first, opponents Twyford House posted a sizeable 231 for 6 thanks to 71 from the impressive Robin Moore. Seamer John Spencer claimed three wickets for Winsley but his team-mates bowled too many loose deliveries.

Teenager Charlie Holton got the Winsley reply off to a solid start with a patient 45. A quick-fire 30 from Andrew Cross kept the scoreboard ticking over before a middle-order collapse saw the visitors fall well short of their target. Ellett said afterwards: "We bowled far too many four-balls in the first 10 overs and that gave Twyford a platform to build a big total. They batted well and we struggled to contain them.

"Our reply started well and we were only six runs behind at the half-way stage. Andrew Cross gave us some hope but when he was out we faded away." Winsley welcome all-rounder Robbie Cross back to the side for the visit of Pak Bristolians tomorrow.