IT WAS another difficult day on the road in Division One of the Somerset League for Wellington when the gap between the Red and Blacks second string in last spot and their fellow promotees from 2025 in West Monkton, in ninth spot, grew to 53 points after Monkton's eight wicket win, writes David Derrick.

At 41-4, having chosen to bat first, Wellington were indebted to their middle order batters on this occasion, particularly Neil Hendy with 71 (108 balls, eleven fours and one six), Oli Hutchings with his 35 (24 balls, eight fours) and skipper Rob Moysey who made 53 (81 balls with six fours).

Hendy and Moysey's sixth wicket stand of 109 was the stellar partnership of the day for Wellington as Ollie Hunt with 14 added good late runs for his side to see them to 237-8 at tea, For Monkton their attack stuck to their job in more hot conditions and it was Singh with 3-40 in nine overs who had the most effect.

Wellington, again, did not make an impact on the Monkton innings with the ball until it was too late as Lee with 103 not out and Leck with 103 added a crushing 228 opening run stand for their side as they won the duels that mattered.

Neil Hendy was accurate to let only 31 runs go in his nine overs, but, again, there was not the required control from the attack as a unit to trouble the hosts Ostler was out too, but Monkton skipper Bellringer smote two fours and the game was done to the tune of 33 points to Monkton and a dozen to Wellington. Rob Moysey (2-43) was Wellington's only wicket-taker. Scores: Wellington 2nd XI 237-8, West Monkton 239-2.

It is home to Cranmore on Saturday, 25th Jul,y at the Lloyd and Whyte Cricket Ground from 1p.m. next in the schedule.