WEPL Bristol & Somerset

Wembdon 160-9 lost to Taunton 163-6 by four wickets (match reduced to 42 overs)

WEMBDON captain Dan Bingham said “things should have been very different” after his side slipped to a penultimate over defeat at Taunton on Saturday.

Despite some clear improvements from his side, Bingham was again left to rue missed opportunities as Taunton reached their target with seven balls to spare.

He said: “Many positives can be taken from Saturday’s defeat - some vast improvements in areas of the game but another tough defeat in the penultimate over. Things should have been very different.

“Positives must be taken, it was a far better performance than in recent weeks with extras vastly reduced and us batting our overs, but for the third time in 2014 we lost a game with a handful of balls remaining.”

Taunton won the toss and had no hesitation inserting Wembdon to bat first.

Looking to change recent results Wembdon adjusted the batting order and welcomed back Richard Gower.

The innings started promisingly and was more patient than normal but a towering top edge and a good catch saw Gower (6) go early.

A rain delay saw just under an hour lost from the game and the match reduced to 42 overs per side.

After the restart a couple of wickets fell reasonably quickly but a solid partnership between Brockwell (41) and Bowditch (39) but Wembdon into a strong position. Bowditch was eventually well stumped and Brockwell got a delivery that did stay a little low and was cleaned bowled but it had left Wembdon in healthy position and they ended up on 160-9.

After tea, Taunton got off to a poor start with Bingham claiming the prize wicket of Somerset cricketer Tom Abell who had scored 204* for Somerset second XI in midweek, for a duck.

Hubbard followed that up with the wicket of Hake (4) in the second over to leave Taunton 6-2.

Blackwell clean bowling captain Cooper (29) shortly followed up by trapping Kelly (6) LBW who did not look comfortable against spin.

The run rate had climbed from three an over to five, but an aggressive cameo from George Cook left Taunton needing nine from the final 12 deliveries.

And it was Cook who hit the winning runs, to condemn Wembdon to a ninth defeat of the season.

Match Sponsor: Dr. Peter Reed

Wembdon 1stXI home again to Frenchay this Saturday.