POTTERNE skipper Neil Clark thinks that his players got a reminder that their Premier Two campaign is going to be anything other than ‘plain-sailing’ following their dramatic opening day victory over Shapwick & Polden.

The villagers got their season underway with a win but were made to sweat at the Grove, with the visitors putting together a fearsome run-chase before falling at the final hurdle, handing Potterne victory by just two runs.

“It was a good start but it was a bit stressful. I’ve been involved in my fair share of games like that and I never enjoy it,” said Clark. “I think it shows everyone that the season isn’t going to be plain-sailing. We’re going to have to perform to our best and play just as well as we did last season if we want to do well.

“They got in and had a few guys whacking it about a small ground. Three of their guys got 40s and in the end, they threw it away a bit because all they had to do was bat out their overs.

“But credit to Stan Alsop, who came in and took a few wickets for us. There were a couple of matches abandoned on the weekend – one of them included Rockhampton, who are a good team - so we’ve got to be happy with 20 points.”

Potterne were put in to bat first and opener Tom Cullen made 47 before Ed Young weighed in with 73.

Jack Bramwell added 46 but the visiting bowlers piled on the pressure, Michael Higgs taking four wickets as the hosts were out for 259 off the final ball.

Young looked to turn the screw on Shapwick as he took four wickets but Tom Lace (52), Nayan Karmarkar (47), Wayne Spencer (43) and Sam Spencer (41 not out) were all amongst the runs as the visitors closed in on their target.

But 3-32 from Stan Alsop, including Shapwick’s final two wickets, saw the away side dismissed for 257 in their penultimate over.

Elsewhere, Goatacre’s trip to Chard was rained off before a ball was bowled.