WELLINGTON 2nd XI sit on the bottom of Division One in the Somerset Cricket League after they made the long journey to Cranmore, near Shepton Mallet, on Bank Holiday Saturday and, despite an excellent start to defending the 191 they had set the home side to chase, they suffered a four wicket defeat, writes David Derrick.

On being asked to bat first, Neil Hendy and Aks Latifi added 86 excellent opening wicket runs for the Red and Blacks second string in scorching conditions with Latifi top scoring with 59 in 58 balls with seven fours and three sixes.

However, Wellington didn't develop their score as they would have wished to as only Hendy with a studious 19, Ollie Hunt with a well crafted knock of 47 at a run a ball in the middle order and Kevin Symons with a tail ending 10 got into double figures post Latifi's dismissal.

Stewart with 5-26 in nine very good overs was on the spot for Cranmore at all times. Wellington blasted through the Cranmore top order to the tune of 35-4 as Justin Joseph with 3-19 did early damage with none of the home side's top four batters making double figures between them.

Angell with 51, White with 27, Lane with 59no in 45 balls and Stewart with 12no restored their side's fortunes despite wickets for Ollie Hunt, Rob Moysey and Alex Derbidge as Cranmore won with 57 balls to spare and so took 35 points to Wellington 2nd XI's 15. Scores: Cranmore 193-6 (35 pts), Wellington 191 (15).

Elsewhere, Long Sutton top the table after they gained a 78-run away victory over Ilminster Seconds.,

Weston Super Mare 2nd XI, who are lying second, visit the Lloyd and White Cricket Ground on Saturday 30th May for a Somerset League Division One match that starts at 1p.m.