WELLINGTON slumped to their fourth successive loss in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier Cricket League when they conceded the season’s double to Wembdon by five wickets in an absorbing game.

Wellington appeared to be heading for victory for much of the match, but Mohamed Imthiyas (63 not out) and Jon Brockwell (82 not out) turned the match in the home side’s favour with an unbeaten sixth-wicket and match-winning stand of 110.

Chasing 266 to win, Wembdon made a good start with openers Arwand Barnard (31) and Dave Worthington (18) putting on 55 before Lakshan Edirisinghe struck, removing the top three batters with only six runs added.

Edirisinghe also removed Harry Evett (30) after he shared in a fourth-wicket partnership of 50 with Slaza. The run-rate was now more than six an over but Slaza and Harry Lowe (16) kept Wembdon in the hunt with a fifth-wicket stand of 45.

At 156-5, Wembdon still looked the underdogs but Slaza and, in particular Brockwell, steered the home side to an unlikely success. Edirisinghe took 4-41 in his ten overs.

Earlier Wellington, who chose to bat first, scored 265 all out with two balls of their innings remaining. They got off to a fine start with openers George Ruell (78) and Luke Desave (21) putting on 57 for the first wicket.

Ruell and Edirisinghe (79) shared in a 139-run stand for the third wicket, taking the score to 198-3. Skipper Arron Campbell scored 34 coming in at No 5 but no other batter managed double figures as Wellington lost their last seven wickets for the addition of only 40 runs. Nathan Kemp took 4-57, Barnard 2-53 and Brockwell 2-31.

In other matches Taunton Deane gained a 74-run win over Yeovil to stay top of the table along with Ilminster who won by 190 runs against North Perrott.