WEPL Bristol & Somerset

Wembdon 220-8 lost to Midsomer Norton 221-7 by three wickets

WEMBDON’S fight for survival in the WEPL Bristol and Somerset division looks set to go down to the wire after they suffered a dramatic final over defeat at the hands of table topping Midsomer Norton on Saturday.

Rich Gower’s half century carried Wembdon to 220-8 from their 50 overs, but 92 from Martin Cox, the division’s leading run scorer, fired the leaders to victory.

Wembdon batted first on a decent wicket and with a loose first over (10) punished by Gower, Wembdon were rocking.

In the second over a sharp yorker cleaned up skipper Puddy (4) and usually steady Bowditch (1) edged to second slip an over later.

Wembdon were in trouble, but Gower battled hard well supported by Brockwell the pair added 47.

Wembdon moved on to 65 when Brockwell (12) departed caught in the 15th over.

Wembdon lost four wickets for 21 runs after drinks which included Gower stumped but after he made a classy 65 from 105 balls.

But an 86 run partnership for the 9th wicket between Pope (40no) and Bennett (36no) took Wembdon to a solid and 220 for 8 from 50 overs.

After tea Wembdon opening spells did not go as well as hoped.

An early drop catch at gully did not help proceedings but Brendan Pope did get the breakthrough in the fourth over trapping Blackmore LBW.

The second wicket would be 15 overs away and after several more dropped catches, MSN added 73 runs in that time.

A good catch by Eckley off Blackwell bowling made the difference and after 20 overs MSN had reached 86-2.

Bingham and Hubbard bowled out the final seven overs MSN needing 23 runs from 42 balls.

Bingham’s first three overs went for six runs and Hubbard at the other end taken two wickets in his final over including that of Cox, left MSN requiring two runs from the final over.

Bingham hit his yorkers well but Nick Potter (33no) pinched a single off the first ball of the over to tie the scores.

Gould who was yet to face a ball then found the fielder for the next three balls before scampering through for the winning run.

Wembdon host Bedminster on Saturday 12.30pm start final home game of the season.

WEPL Bristol & Somerset Second XI Wembdon II 162-9 beat Ilminster II 161 by one wicket KIERAN Cosens held his nerve to carry Wembdon II to a tense one wicket victory over Ilminster on Saturday.

Cosens (8no) struck the winning runs in the 39th over, after a middle order collapse had put Wembdon in danger of throwing the game away.

Earlier, Daniel Watts (4-22), Jack Lowe (3-32) and Pete Gliddon (2-15) were in the wickets as Ilminster were all out for 161 in 42 overs.

Liam Pigden (36) and Phil Curd (30) put Wembdon in a strong position in reply – and Jordan Rawles (21) looked to be taking the hosts to a comfortable victory.

But when Mike Watts, Lucas Hawkins and Scott Hughes fell in quick succession, the game looked to be turning Ilminster’s way.

But Cosens stayed in control to plunder the winnings runs and send his side to the win.