In a closely fought game, Nailsea CC Firsts' Nilesh Vaz scored a half-century to pip local rivals Cleeve CC Seconds by 20 runs in the Somerset Minor Cup on Wednesday.

Cleeve captain George Parsons asked Nailsea to bat first on a dry warm evening, with returning from retirement veteran John Hance claiming a brace (4-2-34) to include a first ball dismissal of Gary Phippen and then removing Jack Smith thanks to catches from Alex Soch and wicketkeeper Carey Elswood, leaving Nailsea at 50-2. 

Cam Elswood balled with some venom without success (4-27) as Vaz was finally removed, run out by sharp work from Soch for 51. 

James Boulton bowled well consistently without adding to the success (4-24) as the left-arm seam from Jack Spiers bowled sharply down the hill castling David Wade (12) and Kitt Drew-Wilkinson for a two-ball duck. 

Harry Welshman departed stumped for 18 due to the quick hands of Carey Elwood behind the sticks on the last ball of two overs from Stuart Williams for 14 runs with Nailsea at 135-6. 

Shaun Williams (14) was the last to go, caught Cam Elswood to provide a wicket for Ellis Turner (2-11) and Nailsea posted 143-7 at the halfway mark.

In reply, Parsons (0), Soch (11), Carey Elswood (0) left Cleeve rocking at 16 for 3 with Dan Dixon out for 20, at 49-4, all bowled with sharp pace from Nailsea’s opening pair of Sam Jervis (4 overs 2 for 9) and Sam Bayliss (4 overs 2 for 33).
 
Cam Elswood was caught and bowled Wade for eight as Hance was bowled for two. Boulton was run out for 32 with Cleeve at 104-7, as the tail belatedly wagged, as Ellis Turner was caught for seven leaving Spiers (10) and Paul Todd (4) the not out batsmen as Cleeve ended on 123-8, just short of the Nailsea target.

So, disappointment but the league returns on Saturday as Bristol University Staff are welcomed to the King George V Playing Fields.