WEPL Bristol & Somerset Division

Old Bristolians Westbury 143-8, Wembdon 123-9

A SUPERB bowling effort from Mike Parker proved to be in vain as Wembdon were beaten by 20 runs by Old Bristolians Westbury on Saturday.

Parker took 6-30 from seven overs to help restrict OBW to 143-8 from their 35 overs in a rain reduced game - but Wembdon's reply never really got going and they fell comfortable short of their target.

Wembdon bowled first and were economical early on but without a breakthrough.

38 came off the first 10 overs and the classy 16 year old Australian Tom Leaver looked in very good touch.

But a change of pace got the breakthrough and sparked a collapse - first Alistair Cook trapped opener Swetman LBW for 27 before a stunning catch in the deep by Brockwell accounted for Leaver for 36.

Mike Parker, on his return to Wembdon side, came into the attack and blew away the OBW middle order to return impressive figures.

Amazingly OBW number 4,5,6,7 and 8 were all dismissed without scoring, but a couple of late blows by Ryan Hanna helped OBW post 143 for 8 from 35 overs.

Wembdon's reply got off to the worst possible start, with Gower (4), Puddy (0) and Bingham (0) all falling for single figures.

John Brockwell and Brendan Pope set about rebuilding the innings and added 71 for the fifth wicket to bring Wembdon up with the rate.

For the second week running spin would prove too tricky to score quickly against.

The pitch didn't help with OBW wicket keeper getting struck in the head more than once off slower bowlers, proving the lively bounce was impossible to judge.

Brockwell (39) was bowled leaving Wembdon on 97 for 5 - needing 47 off the last five overs.

The Wembdon wickets tumbled as they tried to chase the total and eventually the final nail in the coffin was hammered when Brendan Pope (55) was stumped.

The innings finished on 123 and another great opportunity to win slipped through the net.

Wembdon host Knowle next Saturday, 1pm start.

Match Sponsor: Elsie Matthews ## ON Sunday Wembdon cruised into the third round of the Davidstow National Village Cup with a 69-run victory over Middlezoy.

Richard Gower blasted 117 and was well supported by T Lott (35) and B Pope (45*) helping Wembdon post a commanding 251 for 4 from 40 overs.

Middlezoy's reply never really got started and some tight bowling early on saw them fall significantly behind the required run rate.

After that point wickets fell at regular intervals with six bowlers sharing the wickets.

N Barnard (43) for Middlezoy the only stand out batter as they were eventually dismissed for 182 in the 39th over.

On Sunday May 25 Wembdon host North Perrott in County Semi Final of the National Village Cup.