WEPL Somerset Division
Staplegrove 139 beat Wellington 128 by 11 runs

WELLINGTON missed out on a very good chance to record their first WEPL win of the season when they lost by just 11 runs at Staplegrove on Saturday.

On winning the toss, Staplegrove batted first and Tom Pantling and Rowe got away well with a 44-run opening stand in 11 overs, making 19 and 32, respectively.

Ian Hewson was metronomic for Wellington in his second spell in particular as he let just four runs go in his last five overs to go for 24 in 10.

Neil Hendy was in the same fettle as Hewson as he gave nothing away, taking 5-16 in 10 overs as Staplegrove’s decent start dissipated rapidly.

Fine catching assisted Hendy to achieve his haul of wickets.

Dom Drew, with 1-36 in ten overs of off spin, was in controlled mode and he gave way to more off spin in the form of Arron Campbell who took 4-21 in 8.4 overs as catching of a high standard benefited once more.

The difference was made by Matt Dimond, who added a late, unbeaten 28 to bolster the score.

Wellington needed 140 to win but they lost three wickets to debatable decisions at critical parts of the innings.

Alex Sparks, with 25, and Mark Bray, with a most decent 34, played well against a difficult backdrop but, one way or another, wickets were lost.

Although Neil Hendy and Ian Hewson, as Wellington’s last pair, added a defiant 17 runs, the game was over when Hendy was caught behind for 16 to see Wellington take six points to Staplegrove’s 16.

On Saturday, Wellington are at home to North Perrott, while Staplegrove travel to Weston-super-Mare (both 1pm start).

WELLINGTON Cricket Club contested the first of two games in the National Club T20 Competition 2017 on Sunday, May 14 as part of a day’s cricket that was hosted by the club involving fellow WEPL clubs Taunton Deane CC and Minehead CC.

Wellington won both their games on the day by convincing margins after strong all-round performances.

Welly bowled Deane out for 72 and chased it down for the loss of just four wickets, and then racked up 162-6 against Minehead before restricting the visitors to 97-9 to win by 65 runs.

The T20 side now progress to the next group stage, which is to take place in June.