CHEPSTOW batsman Tom Smith got his season off to a dream start in the face of a raft of international bowlers as he got the winning runs for Gloucestershire's second XI against Surrey at The Oval.
The 16-year-old scored an undefeated 47 and hit the winning runs as his county chased down the 225 runs with five wickets in hand.
He made his mark against an attack that featured England internationals Chris Tremlett, Jade Dernbach, Stuart Meaker and Jon Lewis.
The highlight of the Clifton College schoolboy's innings was a mighty six off spinner Gary Keedy that ended up in the stands of the iconic Test venue.
To see the shot and other highlights of the third and final day of the match visit http://www.kiaoval.com/">http://www.kiaoval.com/ highlights-day-3-v-gloucs/.
Tom has come through the ranks at Chepstow from the Under 11s through to the first team and is also a member of Gloucestershire's Under-17 side.
Smith's former captain at Chepstow, Luke Sellers who works for the Gloucestershire Cricket Board said: "It was fantastic to see Tom scoring runs on such an impressive stage.
"It may have been a second XI match but he was up against an international quality attack so it is the kind of innings that will really make people sit up and take notice.
"Tom has always worked incredibly hard at his game – even from when he was in Chepstow's Under-11 team – so he thoroughly deserves the success he is getting. I hope that this is the start of a real breakthrough season for him."
Chepstow's first friendly matches of the season fell foul of the weather last weekend. They take on Malpas in a pre-season game at home this Saturday.