WEPL Somerset

Wellington 253-7 beat Chard 249-7 by 3 wkts

A FINE century from Reid Mawdsley was not enough to secure victory for Chard on Saturday as the visitors were let down by a sub-par bowling and fielding display at Wellington.

Chard chose to bat first but lost both Jon Dalwood (8) and Akhona Mbanga (0) to Jack Beal (2-52) early on.

Mawdsley stayed put but continued to lose partners at regular intervals as several batsmen fell to attacking shots while the wicket was still offering something to the bowlers.

Batting conditions got easier as the day went on and, from 130-6, Mawdsley eventually found a partner as Chris Scott played a gem of an innings.

Scott hit six fours and two sixes in his 49-ball 54 while Mawdsley progressed to an excellent hundred, finishing unbeaten on 121 from 135 deliveries with 17 fours.

Chard set Wellington exactly 250 to win and started well with the ball, Richard Scott (1-25 off eight) trapping Neil Hendy in front without scoring.

Chris Scott (2-52 off 10) then took two quickfire scalps to leave Wellington on the back foot at 60-3.

Captain Arron Campbell remained, however, and benefitted from some slack Chard fielding as he was dropped three times - two regulation, one tough - en route to an invaluable half century.

Jon Dalwood (2-45 off 10) picked up useful middle order scalps and Campbell’s luck ran out on 60 but Beal, who had entered the fray at 179-5, blasted five sixes in an entertaining 49 to keep his side in contention.

He was clean bowled by Mbanga to leave Wellington needing 24 from the final four overs with just three wickets left, but some poor death bowling allowed Ollie Wilkins (21no) and Rob Moysey (7no) to see the hosts over the line with seven balls to spare.

Chard remain second in a league that is very condensed beneath runaway leaders Frome - just 43 points separate Chard in second from bottom club Taunton Deane 2nds.

This Saturday, Chard - missing some key players due to a wedding - have a chance to put a dent in Frome’s 62-point advantage at the summit when they welcome the leaders (12.30pm).