WELLINGTON 2nd XI’s hopes of finishing runners-up in Division Two of the Somerset Cricket League suffered another setback when they lost by four wickets away to Broadway & Horton.

They remain second in the table but are now only four points clear of third-placed Staplegrove, both sides having only one more match to play.

Wellington, who decided to bat first against Broadway, scored 190-7 in their 40 overs with opener Paul Short hitting 74 , an innings which included 13 fours. Ben Evett knocked 28 in 26 balls and Aks Latifi made 28. Matt Derham took 3-31 in eight overs while Phil Lewis finished with figures of 2-26 - also from eight overs.

Lewis was the match winner for Broadway, steering them to victory with an unbeaten score of 54 off only 46 balls. Josh Parker scored 40 and Harry Harrison 20. Broadway reached their target with seven balls to spare.

Wellington skipper and all-rounder Rob Moysey snapped up 2-22 in his eight-over spell while Ollie Hunt took 2-29. There were also wickets for George Davis and Neil Hendy.

Staplegrove closed the gap on Wellington, who went down to their second successive defeat after losing to bottom side Frome 2nd XI the previous week, after the Taunton side beat Ilton by 85 runs, collecting a crucial 35 points.

Wellington will almost certainly have to beat leaders West Monkton at home on Saturday, August 30, if they are to clinch the runners-up spot.

The Taunton side made sure of winning the championship after they beat Taunton 2nd XI by 34 runs to go well clear at the top of the table.

Saturday’s fixtures: Ilton v Huntspill & District, Burnham on Sea v Staplegrove, Frome 2nd XI v Broadway & Horton, Taunton 2nd XI v Middlezoy, Wellington 2nd XI v West Monkton.