ALEX Senneck was buoyed by Westbury’s derby day victory at local rivals Warminster last weekend.

Captain Senneck top-scored with 43 and took 4-28 as Westbury got the new season up and running with a 23-run triumph at Sambourne Road.

Senneck said: “I thought it was an excellent game of cricket, played in the right spirit on a surface that was superb.

“We didn’t make enough runs on what I thought was a good wicket, however we fought hard in the second half and got a good win that we thoroughly deserved.

“Warminster came down last year and would look to go straight back up, so to beat them first up is most encouraging.

“I’m very pleased to get off to a strong start personally but it means nothing if we don’t win and while that sounds clichéd, mine or anybody else’s personal performances have less importance if we are not victorious.”

Batting first after winning the toss, Westbury were restricted to just 65-3 after the fine bowling of John Powell and Rory Cullinan, who finished with figures of 3-27, but Senneck’s knock helped the visitors post 151 before they were skittled in the 47th over, with Warminster captain Tom Davie and Marcus Brown taking 3-21 and 3-30 respectively.

Pete Hickerton attempted to spearhead the hosts’ fightback as he hit 41 but the Westbury bowling attack turned the screw enough to curtail their hosts’ run chase at 128 midway through the 45th over.

Warminster skipper Davie said: “It was quite a close game and bowling-wise, we did all right, but we lacked discipline with the bat and didn’t really apply ourselves.

“Pete Hickerton was the only one that really looked to put an innings together and that was a bit of a problem for us last year too – but we’ll just get on with the next game.

“Westbury have probably got one of the best bowling attacks in the league this year and I think they’ll do well.”

  • WARMINSTER were all out for 142 chasing South Wilts’ massive 330-4 in Sunday’s Royal London Club Championship clash.

Rory Cullinan hit an unbeaten 50 for the losing side.

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