WELLINGTON 2nd XI gained a splendid 54-run away success against the leaders West Monkton in the second division of the Somerset Cricket League.

It means Wellington have now moved up to within 17 points of the Taunton side, both teams having played the same number of matches.

Batting first after winning the toss, Wellington scored 220-9 in their 40 overs with George Davis being their leading scorer with 41. Opener Neil Hendy scored 39, and Wil Parkman and skipper Rob Moysey both 30. Joe Holman snapped up 4-53 and Sam Wadham-Sharpe 3-21.

West Monkton never seriously recovered from losing an early wicket and never got on top of the bowling although James Lock knocked 68 and wicket-keeper Richie Bellringer 28.

Veteran all-rounder Rob Moysey was Wellington’s stand-out bowler with 5-22 in 6.5 overs, while Davis took 2-15 and Alex Derbidge 2-34.

Elsewhere Broadway & Horton kept in touch with the two leading teams with a 72-run victory against Frome. Batting first, Broadway and Horton scored 294-5 in their 40 overs with M Derham scoring a run-a-ball 102 which included 15 fours and a six. D Lowman also made 90 and J Parker 58.

Despite some good late-order batting, Frome were dismissed for 222 in 39.2 overs with D Evans top scoring with 50 while J Pike took 3-22 and T Burgess 3-18.

Staplegrove kept in contention with a seven-wicket win over Burnham on Sea who scored 205 all out with Connor Lefrere hitting 47 before being run out. Joe Pantling took 3-17.

Pantling was Man of the match, opening the Grove innings and making 85 in exactly a run a ball. Billy Pantling made 28 and Thomas Pantling 27.

Wellington have an away match against bottom side Middlezoy on Saturday, July 5, while West Monkton are home to seventh-placed Frome.