JIM Fewings struck a match-winning 97 against Cannington as newly-promoted Sampford got their 2024 season off to a winning start in Division 3 of the West Somerset League. 

Sharing a fourth wicket partnership of 107 with Tom Hopkins (36), Fewings dominated the Cannington bowling attack, hitting 8 sixes and 9 fours before being bowled by Lee Hayman (8-1-38-1) just 3 runs short of what would have been a superb century. 

Cannington's Steve King (8-3-29-4) and Dave Hoveman (9-0-55-3) did well to stem the flow, removing Vince Milton (17), Seb Coe (15), Ed Crossley (9) and Archie Evans (11) when each threatened to score quick runs. However, Sampford were still able to set a target of 225, which was a tough total to chase on a soft Easterlands track.

Cannington's innings never really got going against the pace of Thomas Gendall (6-0-21-3) and the nagging accuracy of Seb Coe (9-1-29-4). Gendall was on a hat-trick in his first over and, although that eluded him, Cannington didn't recover.

Hayman hit a quick 17 batting at 7 before being caught by Crossley off the bowling of Keith Crockett (3-0-3-2), and the innings ended with a run-out in the 19th over.

Scores: Sampford Arundel 225-8, Cannington 63 all out