WELLINGTON took another step towards finishing runners-up in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier Cricket League when they beat Wembdon away by five wickets in their latest match.

Put into bat, Wembdon scored 192 all out in 49.5 overs with wicketkeeper Jon Brockwell top scoring with 59, with seven fours and three sixes. Brahn Singh scored 28 and Lewis Townsend 23.

Toby Stirzaker took 3-16 in ten overs while Nathan Yarde snapped up 3-24 in eight.

Wellington, again without the injured Luke Desave, lost two early wickets before opener Arron Campbell (46) and Lakshan Edrisinghe (72) shared in a third-wicket stand of 68. Skipper Jacob Hurry scored 32 and Yarde was 15 not out. Tom Redford was Wembdon’s most successful bowler with 3-51 from his eight overs.

It was Wellington’s tenth win of the season and enabled them to gain revenge for a ten-run home loss to Wembdon in June. It was also Wellington’s last away game of the summer.

Victory enabled Wellington to stay 11 points ahead of third-placed Yeovil while Temple Cloud are in fourth spot, ten points further adrift. Scores: Wembdon 192 (5), Wellington 195-5 (20).

Meanwhile, new champions Ilminster chalked up their 13th success of the season when they gained a nine-wicket away victory over Chard in a South Somerset derby. Chard were bowled out for a disappointing 103 and Ilminster knocked off the runs in 16 overs.

Temple Cloud’s hopes of finishing runners-up were dashed when they went down to an eight-run defeat away to Bridgwater 2nd XI in a high-scoring game.

Bridgwater, who won the toss and elected to bat first, piled up 267-8 in their 50 overs and then restricted their rivals to 259-9 with six batters well into double figures. Ian Higgins took 4-49.