WITH just three games to go in Division One of the Somerset League, bottom side Wellington 2nd XI are 35 points behind ninth placed West Monkton and a further five behind Cranmore,writes David Derrick.

Their game at home to Winscombe was another example of Wellington's second string scoring well on winning the toss and deciding to bat first, but not being able to restrict their opponents run-scoring as they chased what the Red and Blacks’ second string had set.

Wellington's top seven scored well as Winscombe toiled in the heat as Aks Latifi and Paul Short, with 21 and 25 respectively, got their side's batting effortaway with a 34-run opening stand.

Thom Trott with 40 (nine fours in 34 balls) joined Short and raised the score to 96-3, but both had been dismissed by this time. This was the cue for Charlie Burrough and Neil Hendy to add a dominant 87-run fourth wicket stand as Burrough slammed 57 in just 57 balls with three fours and a six. Hendy made a watchful 30 in 71 balls and Tom Winter batted in a breezy manner making 41 in 24 balls with five fours and two sixes.

Will Parkman and Rob Moysey helped their side to a final score of 265-9 in 45 overs with Shoesmith taking 3-19.

The Winscombe batting effort was a group affair as four of their five batters each hit a fifty and so repelled whatever Wellington's attack sent down.

A 139-run opening wicket stand between D'Ovidio (54) and Winscombe skipper Fraser (75) laid the foundation for success and, although Moysey (3-16) took three quickfire wickets to move the Winscombe score to 145-3.

Cureton (65 not out) and Mayo (50 not out) were involved in an unbeaten stand of 122 for the fourth wicket that took them to victory and sixth place in the table.