IAN Bellinger welcomed in 2016 with a bang - scoring NINE goals as Tiger Old Boys beat Puriton 18-4 in a remarkable Bridgwater & District Sunday League Cup match.

It was the only game to survive the downpour, being on Bridgwater Academy's 3G pitch, and the first half was a humdinger.

Division 2 Puriton took the fight to championship favourites Tiger for the first 45 minutes, going in at half-time with the game evenly poised at 3-3.

However, as Puriton ran out of steam, Tiger's class told and they won the second half 15-1.

Bellinger went on the rampage, ending with nine to take his Sunday total to 42 in 10 games.

Getting in on the act were Lee Oparowski and Chris Taylor, with hat-tricks, and Luke Taylor, Callum Winter and Tyne Govier.

Tiger have some tougher games on the horizon, though.

On January 17, they begin their quest for the Inter-League Cup, a new competition where they, and other Bridgwater sides, take on opposition from the Yeovil League.

The following weekend they travel to take on top Bath Sunday League team GT Sports, unbeaten in their Division 1, in the Somerset County Cup.

Fellow Uxella hopefuls, Red Tile, also visit Bath-based side KA Athletic.