AFTER taking a 7-0 thrashing last week, Severn Tunnel returned to winning ways in Gill Cup premilinary round.

Tunnel manager Steve Duddridge admitted the game was a great opportunity for his players to get the heavy defeat – by promotion rivals Sudbrook CC A – out of their systems.

"It was a nice game to have after last week's debacle," Duddridge said.

"A distraction from league duty was what we needed."

Tunnel had Chris Taylor – sent off against Sudbrook last week – suspended, and were missing nine of their regular squad.

"We reverted to a basic 4-4-2 formation and partnered Tom Atkins with Matthew

Addis up front and Rhys Briscoe was joined in midfield by debutant Sean Clayton."

Nathan Wheeler opened the scoring early on, with a deep free-kick that dipped under the bar at the far post and Atkins added the second when he rounded the keeper and scored into an empty net.

It wasn't all one-way traffic with Tintern's top scorer Geraint Reynolds and youngster Joe Whitehouse threatening the home defence during an entertaining first half.

But it was Tunnel who extended their lead when Atkins scored his second with a towering header to make it 3-0 and Clayton marked his debut with a fierce drive to make it 4-0 at the break.

Tintern pulled one back from the penalty spot soon after the restart but further goals from James Price, Clayton, Briscoe, Addis and an own goal sealed the win.

"With so many players missing and only having one substitute was a fantastic achievement," Duddridge added.

"We take on Mathern's third team in the cup and it looks like we will be further depleted with players missing again but it is another chance for players to stake a claim for a first team spot and at the moment they are taking it."