WELLINGTON gained their fourth successive victory in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier Cricket League when they beat North Perrott by eight wickets in a match delayed at first by rain at the Playing Field.

Perrott went into the game in second place, only two points behind Taunton Deane, but they were well beaten by Wellington who have been moving up the table in recent weeks.

Put into bat first, Perrott were bowled out for 132 in 34.1 overs, never seriously getting on top of Wellington’s bowling attack, after losing a wicket with only ten runs scored.

Alex Payne was run out for 30 while Wade Cupido made 20. Perrott’s only meaningful partnership was a 36-run third-wicket stand between James Salaman (15) and Payne, and they had seven wickets down for only 100.

Wellington’s wicket-takers were Toby Stirzaker (2-27), skipper Arron Campbell (2-30), Andy Hurry (2-49), Luke Desave (1-11) and Nathan Yarde (1-9).

Wellington made a bright start with openers George Ruell (34) and Desave (19) putting on 40 for the first wicket before the latter was out.

Wellington School student Stian Smith joined Ruell and the pair shared in a second wicket partnership of 63 before the opener lost his wicket.

It was left to the classy Smith and Sri Lankan all-rounder Lakshan Edirisinghe to knock off the runs to earn Wellington an emphatic victory which was achieved in the 21st over.

Smith was 59 not out, having hit eight fours and two sixes, while Edirisinghe 16 not out, hitting the winning runs with a six.

This win followed victories over Bridgwater 2nd XI, Butleigh and Shapwick & Polden, which means Wellington are now looking at possible promotion whereas they were struggling near the bottom of the table not much more than a month ago.