AFTER last season’s relegation, Almondsbury began life in the Bristol & District league by being well beaten by Portishead.

Fielding first, Almondsbury began in fine style when Ross Wakley yorked Chambers with his first delivery.

However Winnard and Franklin put on 70 for the second wicket before skipper Tommy Armfield had Franklin caught at extra cover by Phil Mortimore for 31.

McMillan scored a rapid 15 before being lbw, again to Armfield.

Bridge was soon removed by Mortimore for five and the dangerous Winnard fell for 76 in a knock lasting over two hours.

Seasoned campaigner Pepall removed Gloucester seconds all-rounder Stuckes with a caught and bowled for 13 and when Armfield ran out Philips for ten, Almondsbury were back in the driving seat with the visitors on 147-6.

But Thomas set about the Almondsbury bowlers and eventually fell to Armfield for 45.

Wakley (1-31), Pepall (1-48), and Mortimore (3-42) claimed useful scalps for the home side but Armfield deserves special mention with figures of 8.5-0-28-4. Almondsbury began in fine style as Armfield and Gary Goodwin put on 55 for the first wicket before Armfield (30) was caught by Thomas off Walters at extra cover.

They were reduced to 59-5 as Stuckes set about demolishing the Almondsbury top order with Burgess (0), Mortimore (0), Wakley (2) and Goodwin (20) sent back to the pavilion.

With the score on 93, Luke Whitticker (14) became Stuckes’ fifth victim when he was caught by Thomas at backward square.

Liam Hartigan spent some time at the crease before being stumped by Franklin off the bowling of Colyer for 13.

Paul Martin tried to hit his way out of trouble but was caught on the boundary by Phillips off McMillan for 14.

Steve Braund fell to Colyer, bowled for a duck before Kyle Hartigan, who had batted sensibly to this point, was caught by Chambers at deep extra cover off McMillan for 22.

Almondsbury will need to improve their game if they wish to challenge for promotion as only Armfield led by example.