MOUNT House School?s U12s began the cricket season with two outstanding wins over local rivals, Blundell?s School, Tiverton and Kelly College.

Playing against talented opposition from Blundell?s, Mount House fielded first and bowled Blundell?s out for 89. Bruce Fulton (4 for 20) and Rory Oxenham (2 for 19) did the early damage, though it was Oliver Essex?s hat-trick that ripped through the middle order. Oliver Bond also took his first wicket at this level.

Against pacy bowling, concentration was the order of the day and Bruce Fulton (49no) and Philip Downie (18no) showed both in steering the home side to a comfortable 9-wicket win.

Wind and rain and a late change of venue did not deter the U12s in their next match. On Kelly?s artificial wicket Mount House batted with confidence to declare just after tea on 120-5. Again, Downie looked solid and his 40 was the side?s top score. He was well supported by Harry Cousens (15) and Oxenham (11).

Kelly began their run chase in good style and quickly scored 20 for the loss of just one wicket. However, a batting collapse followed this sound start and Kelly were dismissed for 36 runs, a comfortable Mount House victory by 84 runs.

Fulton with another 4-wicket haul and Oxenham (3 for 12) were the main strike bowlers, with Tom Rogers, Tom Lawson and Downie also taking wickets.

In their latest match the U12s suffered their first defeat of the term against Plymouth College U13s 2nd XI. Despite batting well, with good knocks from captain Fulton and Oliver Bond, the team score of 116 never looked enough on a good pitch.

Plymouth recorded a convincing 6-wicket win.