WELLINGTON’S latest cricket challenge took them to Vivary Park in Taunton over the weekend for a match with Taunton Deane CC played in the most pleasant spring weather, writes David Derrick.

Taunton Deane, who won the WEPL Somerset Division in 2025 following two successive relegations, were put into bat by Wellington on Jacob Hurry winning the toss at a sun drenched Convent Field and it was a solid effort from the home side who totalled 219-7 in their 40 over allocation.

Smith with 45, Pepper with 50 and Burgess with 39 were the main contributors to the county town side's total that saw Wellington would need over five runs per over to secure victory.

Luke Desave, who is entering his 17th season with the Red and Blacks, took 3-33 in six overs and was Wellington's main operator with the ball as Toby Stirzaker, Rob Moysey and Neil Hendy saw success with the ball too.

Jacob Hurry with 42 was the main man for Wellington with the bat as the score dipped from 74-2 to 111 all out in 25.5 overs with Toby Stirzaker making a defiant score of 10. For Taunton Deane, Burgess with 5-7 in 4,5 overs completed a great all round day for himself on a personal and collective level.

On Saturday, 25th April, the 1st XI travel to Yeovil for their third and final pre-season match while the 2nd XI travel to Chard for a T20 tri-series with the host club's 2nd XI and South Petherton CC's 1st XI.

The game at Yeovil will commence at 12.30pm and the T20 day at Chard will see the Red and Blacks take on their hosts at 10.00am and then vie with South Petherton at 1.00pm before Chard and Petherton meet at 4.00pm in the last game of the day.