WELLINGTON 3rd XI, with former skipper Connor Wickenden taking charge of this game, kept their unbeaten 2026 record in Division Seven South of the Somerset League intact with this seven wicket win over Taunton Deane's 5th string last weekend at Sampford Arundel CC writes David Derrick.

The team stays in third place, just two points behind second placed Trull 2nd XI and 22 behind leaders Bishops Hull 2nd XI who have played a game more having brought one of their games forward to the last weekend of April by mutual consent.

Taunton Deane chose to bat first on winning the toss and their effort with the bat was a mild affair that didn't exceed more than three runs per over throughout it as Jeet Jadeja brought his youth section form with the ball to the senior section as he took 2-19 in eight accurate overs all told of medium pace.

His father Jay was in good form with the new ball too as he sent down three maidens in his total of eight overs.Swart with 23 and Step with 27 bonded the Deane innings score wise and 21 extras certainly aided them.

Fawad Sadat with 1-15 in six overs maintained the good discipline that the Wellington third string were showing.Aayan Kazi and Archie Evans with leg spin and Connor Wickenden with orthodox slow left arm spin wrapped up all, but one of the Deane wickets on offer as the Green and Blacks totalled 128-9 at tea.

Wellington needed just over twenty overs to secure 34 points from the game as Jack Holloway, Phil Baker and Simon Burrough each made good starts with the bat as scores of 14,11 and 13 were recorded.

Aayan Kazi with a studious 12no in 34 balls was the perfect foil for Archie Evans to make a match winning 39no in 29 balls with six fours and two sixes as he followed up his 2025 ton against the same opposition with more success with the bat.

Taunton Deane took nine points from the game. It's a trip to Huntspill and District 2nd XI for the team on Saturday 6th June as they look to keep up the pressure at the top end of the SCL Division Seven South table.