WEPL Somerset Division

Wembdon 138 lost to Staplegrove 142-8 by two wickets

A TOP-order batting collapse saw Wembdon lose out by two wickets in Saturday’s top of the table clash with Staplegrove.

The hosts collapsed first to 8-3 and then 87-7 before recovering to post 138 batting first – and despite the best efforts of the Wembdon bowlers, Staplegrove crept home with two wickets and 22 balls to spare.

A dangerous opening spell of swing bowling by Ian Bishop had Wembdon struggling at 10-3 after three overs.

Dan Bingham (43) and Billy Vickery (14) battled to see off Bishop, whose opening spell of eight overs 3-17 was the catalyst for Grove's success.

A stand of 40 for the fourth wicket made the scorecard look a little more respectable and a fifth wicket stand of 27 between Bingham and Phillips (16) steady the ship further.

Bingham departed shortly before drinks and yet another mini collapse pegged Wembdon back.

Struggling under the conditions, Wembdon were soon 95-7 and that became 120-7 at drinks.

Skipper Richard Eckley (11) ran well and contributed valuable lower order runs in a partnership of 38 with Will Pope who blasted a quick fire 32.

Early wickets were required as the players went back out for 14 overs prior to taking tea.

Pope (3-32) and Bingham (1-15) bagged a wicket apiece and Rich Gower’s off-spin claimed the wicket of Nathaniel Price (11).

After tea wickets began to tumble at regular intervals, with Joshua Marrs (1-39) getting the dangerous Bishop (13) caught in the deep by Pope.

Brockwell, Gower and Pope all bowled economically and Staplegrove were 116-6 when Pope claimed two victims in two balls to set up a tense finish – but that was as good as it got for Wembdon, as Grove scored the 23 runs required to seal victory.

Wembdon host Uphill Castle CC at 1pm on Saturday.