Wellington 140-8

Taunton St Andrews 144-5

WELLINGTON will not finish any lower in the West of England Premier League’s Playing Bubble C than mid-table despite this five-wicket defeat to Premier Two (Bristol and Somerset) side Taunton St Andrews over the Bank Holiday weekend as Wembdon and Weston-super-Mare both lost and only have two points with one to play, writes David Derrick.

Arron Campbell opted to bat first on winning the toss and saw his side be at 18-2 before he joined Alex Sparks and the runs came along for Wellington as they added 41 for the third wicket with Sparks making a solid 25 before he was caught at deep midwicket.

Campbell continued to be the solid player as he made a studious 51no in 99 balls and saw that his side were making the Saints work hard for every reward.

Luke Desave arrived at the crease and looked in destructive form until a blinding catch at short cover accounted for him.

For the second week running Macaulay Campbell, with 12no this time, added some useful late innings runs as he and his cousin took Wellington to 140-8 at ‘tea’. For TSA Hayman, Alley and Contreras took two wickets each.

Will Derrick was in good form with the new ball for Wellington as he saw the back of Tinnion trapped LBW and his analysis of 1-16 in seven overs was a fine effort.

Desave with 1-17 in five overs saw that Kraucamp was leaving the arena through Tyler Fyfe’s excellent catch and at 20-2 TSA, relegated from the top WEPL level at the end of 2019, were in a bit of a pickle.

Their keeper Rew and former Wellington AFC player Steve Jenkins put on a cool 51 third wicket runs that calmed the visitors’ nerves, but they were frayed once more when Ian Hewson, with 2-26 in six overs, reduced them to 91-4, but a dose of attacking play from G.Thomas, who hit 48, took the game and the two points to TSA although Macaulay Campbell did get rid of him with the scores tied.

Wellington complete their bubble schedule at Weston-super-Mare tomorrow (September 5) when they take on their 1st XI from 12.30pm.