Steep II v Compton: STEEP second team’s season started disappointingly on Saturday with a four-wicket defeat at home to Compton.

Newly promoted to Regional Division 1 South, Steep lost the toss and were asked to bat first. Callingham and McCubbin started well, before McCubbin was dismissed with the score on 21.

Captain Ellis joined Callingham at the wicket and the pair put on 57 for the second wicket before Callingham fell with the platform seemingly set for a competitive total.

This wicket changed the game and the Steep innings capitulated as a succession of batsmen gave their wickets away, mainly as a result of poor shot selection.

Only Ellis provided any resistance, finishing on 62 not out as Steep limped along to a total of 122 all out. Gregg Turner was the pick of the Compton bowlers, finishing with figures of 5-17.

Steep knew their only chance of victory was to take early wickets, and this they duly did. When Compton captain Elms was run out, and Callingham dismissed James Turner, Steep scented blood. Leg spinner Cosgrove was introduced into the attack, bowling in tandem with Jack Coles, and the pair put more pressure on Compton as wickets continued to fall.

Cosgrove removed G Turner and Stickley, both well caught on the boundary, and Coles took the wicket of the obdurate Smith. With the score on 62-5, Johnny Bray joined Stickley at the wicket and the pair put on a match-winning partnership of 54 before Ellis removed Bray.

Slatter hit the winning runs soon afterwards.