WELLINGTON 3rd XI played their first Somerset League Division Seven South match in a month, but came unstuck by a small margin at Taunton's Castle School when they took on Taunton Deane 5ths, writes David Derrick.

The Red and Blacks’ third string really needed to win this encounter to push upwards towards second place.

Des Campbell assumed the role of captain and asked the Deane to bat first on winning the toss. George Coate got the wicket of Peart early doors for Wellington and with Max White in stunning form behind the sticks for Wellington as he pulled off four dismissals, the ball was proving to be mightier than the bat as a Deane score of 115-6 proved with success for father and son Jay and Jeet Jadeja who claimed two wickets each.

However, a fine knock of 80 from Deane opener Bendle allowed others to play around him and this got the hosts to just shy of 200 as a final total as Connor Wickenden's left arm spin wrapped matters up with the last ball of the Deane innings.

An innings of 74 from Simon Burrough was the highlight of the Wellington batting effort as he and Phil Baker got the best part of fifty on the board before Baker was first out for 16.

The middle order was rocky apart from George Coate's 21 and same from Max John, a deadline signing from Staplegrove CC, as Batstone with four wickets and Peart with three got among the Red and Blacks third string.

The game was up with the score at 181 when Max John and Connor Wickenden's last wicket stand was ended in the 37th over.

Taunton Deane took 34 points to go fourth while Wellington collected 19 and are just behind their rivals in fifth spot. Scores: Taunton Deane 3th XI 197, Wellington 3rd XI 181.