It always happens on tour – King’s Road get smashed in the field, and then get smashed off it.

But this time we did at least put up a fight.

After driving to Somerset for the first match on Friday, The Road’s attack found themselves being clattered around Hinton Charterhouse Cricket Club’s picturesque ground.

For 30 gruelling overs the ball found its way to all parts as HCCC’s batsman had a field day on what was a batsman’s paradise deep in the country.

Kevin Pittaway, Matt Cocken, Lewis Robinson and James Couldrey all took some tap and conceded over 50 in the runs column.

Tour captain Jamie Keating’s two overs went for 24, and only Matt Glover kept the score down as his 6 impressive but wicketless overs went for 26.

When the onslaught was over HCCC had hit a hefty 268 for 2 with one of their players hitting a ton and Cocken and Lewis taking the only wickets.

Beating that would require something special, and a record score.

It did not happen. But The Road did try.

First up Matt C and Jon Malsingh went off like a train before Matt fell lbw for 16.

Then the big-hitters entered the fray with Glover smashing 31 before being bowled and Jack Caesar hitting 20 before he holed out.

In came the normally circumspect Leon Watson before Mally, in front of his watching dad Colin, passed 50.

Incredibly, considering the massive target, The Road were still in it.

Mally went on to post 54 before he also holed out. And, having hit 7 off his first two balls, Leon stroked 35 off 30 balls.

But it was not enough. After Jon went The Road lost Keats, Richard Peralta and Lewis all for ducks as the chance of a win evaporated.

A final flurry by Kev and Leon saw Kev blast 27 off 23 balls to leave The Road 49 short on 220 at the end of the innings.

It wasn’t close, but King’s Road – for once on tour – didn’t disgrace themselves.

That came later.