WELLINGTON’S third and final pre-season match took them to Yeovil CC on another glorious Spring day and it was the home side that held sway in South Somerset by some 65 runs, writes David Derrick.

Yeovil won the toss and, unsurprisingly, batted first on a genuine track at the old Westland Helicopters ground and saw Hanrahan and Chicko post a first wicket stand of 25 which was ended when the former batter was caught by Alex Derbidge off of George Davis who took 2-45.

A knock of 61 from Chesterman was the pivot of the Yeovil innings as Bicknell and Staunton each with knocks in the twenties drove their team to 212-8 in 40 overs. Toby Stirzaker with 2-40 in seven overs tasted success on the day with the ball and wickets also came the way of Ollie Hunt, Arron Campbell with two and Alex Derbidge.

Nathan Yarde bowled his leg spin without success, but conceded just 26 runs in eight very good overs.

Wellington would need 213 to win at just over five runs per over. At 4-2 Wellington had not got away to anything like the start they would have wanted to, but stability was offered by Arron Campbell and Nathan Yarde with knocks of 23 and 36 respectively.

When Yarde was out, Wellington were 93-7 and going to finish short of the required total, but some positive late order play from Andy Hurry (25no) and new recruit from Mass CC Justin Joseph (28 with three sixes) saw them finish just short of 150 as Hurry and Tyler Fyfe saw time out for the Red and Blacks. Hume with 2-17 in six overs had Yeovil's best analysis on the day as wickets were shared around, along with two run outs. Scores: Yeovil 212-8, Wellington 147-9.