WELLINGTON stretched their lead to 23 points at the top of the Somerset Division in the West of England Premier Cricket League with a four-wicket rain-affected home win over second placed Chard yesterday (Sat).

As with several of their games this season, there were times when it looked as Wellington might lose.

Facing a revised target of 151 to win in 35 overs, Wellington lost three wickets for only nine runs on the scoreboard before skipper Arron Campbell (38 not out) and Sri Lankan all-rounder Sandaken Pathirana (73) shared in a fourth-wicket stand of 132.

And Wellington lost three more wickets on 141 before Jack Beale (10 not out) calmed things down and Wellington got over the line with 6.3 overs to spare. Malcolm Cloate was the South Somerset side's bowling star, taking all six Wellington wickets to fall for only 22 runs.

Earlier Chard's innings was interrupted by rain with Glen Glentworth (32) and Reid Mawdsley (23) sharing in an opening partnership of 73. However, the visitors struggled after this and finished on 133-8 after 35 overs.

Wellington are away this coming Saturday - to Yeovil who are lying fifth.