TAUNTON DEANE 232-5

WELLINGTON 71

WELLINGTON are one of six teams in the West of England Premier League’s Playing Bubble C to have six points from five games following this heavy defeat at Premier One side Taunton Deane last weekend, writes David Derrick.

Last season’s Premier Two Bristol and Somerset champions put on a fine display with bat and ball and recorded an emphatic win.

Things began well for Wellington as Alex Sparks removed Sharland, caught in the slips from the third ball of the Deane’s innings, after they had opted to bat first to give Luke Desave a reward early doors.

Former Ashbrittle player Luke Williams was in good form with 45 but was dismissed with the score on 61 as he became one of Arron Campbell’s three victims, the Wellington skipper taking 3-34 in eight good overs.

At 112-4, when Deane skipper Stephens was out, the game was nicely balanced but Harrison with a well crafted 102no from 77 balls propelled his side to a final total in excess of 200. Rao and Mellor hit well to make 29 and 21no respectively, Neil Hendy being the wicket taker, leaving Deane 232-5 at ‘tea’.

Wellington’s innings was a tough one as Squire with 8-3-15-4 and Gilbert with 8-1-18-5 bowled with pace and good discipline, and had the game in favour of the home side from the off. It could have been even worse but a last wicket stand of 38 between Ian Hewson and Macaulay Campbell hoisted Wellington to 71 all out in 18.2 overs when Hewson was bowled by Mellor, leaving Campbell on 13 not out.

The penultimate bubble game is against Premier Two Bristol and Somerset side Taunton St Andrews at Wellington Playing Field tomorrow (Saturday) from 12.30pm. The season ends at Weston-super-Mare on Saturday, September 5, from 12.30pm.