2:48pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008
By Greg Jackson
WELLINGTON have reduced Butleigh's lead in Division One of the Shrubbery Hotel Somerset Cricket League to just 20 points.
Their nine-wicket victory at home to struggling Ilton and Butleigh's shock defeat against North Newton has put the title race back in the balance.
Butleigh had held a comfortable lead but it has been cut right back after successive defeats.
A fine all-round bowling effort saw Ilton dismissed for just 111 with more than five overs of the 45 left.
Thom Trott (2-20), Paul Short (2-16) and John Paine (3-8) did most of the damage, while Simon Rudd was unlucky to finish wicketless, conceding just 16 runs from 12 overs.
Wellington then wrapped up victory for the loss of just one batsman in 23.4 overs with Matt Daniel (56 not out) leading the way, well supported by Alex Sparks (32 not out).
Staplegrove continued their good run of form with a narrow 15-run victory at home to Westlands. 'Grove batted first and made 212-4 before bowling the Yeovil side out for 197.
Taunton CS Radiac and Outcasts were heavily beaten by 94 runs away to Purnells. After being asked to bat, the hosts piled up a daunting 250-9, C. Redwood leading the way with 79. For Outcasts, Lewis Knight picked up 5-75 and Luke Desave 3-59.
The visitors were never in the hunt and were eventually all out for 159 with Rico Weekes hitting 35, while Desave (23 not out) and skipper Jon Pike (26) shared a last-wicket stand of 50.
In Division Two, Watchet got their promotion bid back on track with a crucial ten-run victory at fellow highflyers Wedmore.
Chris Sully starred with the bat, scoring an excellent 80 as Watchet were all out for 80. In reply, Matt Lovell's four-wicket haul helped bowl the hosts out for 193.
Fitzhead suffered their sixth defeat of the season as they went down by 76 runs at home to Peasedown. The visitors batted first and were all out for 197 on the last ball of the innings, Adam Grantham taking 4-47.
Just three Fitzhead players managed double figures - Laurence Burns blasted 55 - as they were all out for 121 with almost 15 overs left.
In Division Three, the prolific Andy Hill scored 73 to help Ashbrittle to 234-5 away to Huish and Langport. Ashbrittle then restricted the hosts to 189-8 to remain top of the table.
David Higginson top scored with 70 as Curry Rivel reached 169-7 away to Mark, who knocked off the total for the loss of six wickets, with S. Cattermole hitting 106.
North Curry were skittled for just 118 away to Horrington, who reached their target for the loss of four wickets.
In Division Four, Bagborough scored 193-9 at home to Wincanton but it was not enough as the visitors got home for the loss of five wickets.
In Division Five, Tony Keitch smashed a breathtaking 155 as Taunton Deane Cavaliers piled up a huge 324-4 at home to Westonzoyland. Ryan March contributed 80 and John Ashton 57 not out. John Ponte was the hero in the bowling stakes for Deane, bagging 7-74 to dismiss the visitors for 154.
Taunton St Andrew's 3rds had an easy win away at Sampford Arundel who were bowled out for 141, with Phil Parsons taking 4-17. In reply, Darren Jennings (41) and Paul Holman (26 not out) helped secure a six-wicket win in just 22 overs.
Taunton 3rds scored 172 at home to Kilve before bowling the visitors out for 157.
AN excellent unbeaten century from Danny Trump guided Staplegrove to a five-wicket victory away to Winscombe in Division One of the Somerset 2nd XI League.
The hosts batted first and scored a sizeable 234-4 but Trump's 111 not out helped 'Grove reach their target for the loss of five batsmen.
Title-chasing Wellington were without a fixture at the weekend.
In Division Two Taunton St Andrews A secured another win in their fight to avoid relegation. Rob Driver scored 96 not out in a total of 230-2, while Bishops Lydeard managed only 119 in reply.
Watchet picked up another victory in their bid for the Division Three SW title as they hammered Wembdon Academy by the huge margin of 275 runs.
Martyn Ketchen led the way with 166 not out, while Ben Saddington hit 62 and G. Trump 50 as Watchet piled up 370-3. Wembdon were then all out for 95.
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