WELLINGTON 2nd XI suffered an agonising one-run defeat away to their Taunton counterparts in Division Two of the Somerset Cricket League.

It means they drop to second in the table, with title rivals West Monkton now 17 points clear after gaining a five-wicket success against Middlezoy.

Taunton won the toss and decided to bat first against Wellington, scoring 178-7 after being 51-5 at one stage. Oliver O’Livey was their star batter with 60 not out, while Dan Trapnell made 31 before being run out. Joshua Nelson scored 26 and Jon Kerslake 19 not out.

Tom Hopkins took 2-25, George Davis 2-41. while Neil Hendy and Alex Derbidge picked up a wicket apiece.

Wellington made a flying start, scoring 65 before the first wicket went down. Aks Laltifi (28), Paul Short (33), Hendy (38 not out) and Adarsh Sudarsanan (33) all made runs, while Derbridge was still there at the close with 16 not out along with a frustrated Hendy.

Connor Burrows took 3-17 in eight overs, while Sengar Singh (2-22) and Austin White (2-38) also bowled tightly in a gripping game.

Opener Jordan Lee steered West Monkton to victory over Middezoy, hitting 69 in a score of 204-5 in 34 overs, after Middlezoy had batted first and scored 200-8 in their 40 overs, their openers putting on 69 for the first wicket.

Wellington will be looking to bounce back when they play at home to Ilton, who are lying sixth in the table, on Saturday, August 9, while West Monkton are home to Burnham on Sea. Broadway & Horton, who are 24 points behind Wellington in third spot, are home to Taunton 2nd XI.

Fixtures for Saturday, August 9, include: Middlezoy v Huntspill & District, Broadway & Horton v Taunton, Staplegrove v Frome, Wellington v Ilminster, West Monkton v Burnham on Sea.