WEPL Somerset Division

Butleigh 208-8 beat Wembdon 183 by 25 runs

FOUR wickets from Joshua Marrs weren’t enough to prevent Wembdon from slipping to a first league defeat of the season.

Marrs took 4-27 to help restrict Butleigh to 208-8 batting first, but Wembdon could only muster 183 in reply, despite the best efforts of Karl Trunks (56).

Marrs got the breakthrough for Wembdon, bowling Parnell for 11 – and also claimed the wicket of opening partner Durston.

Brockwell trapped Drew (7) LBW and Wembdon had three quick scalps just before drinks.

The introduction of spin removed Pope after sharing a 76 run partnership for the fouth wicket.

The incoming Smith was quick to show his intentions and shared a partnership of 62 for the fifth wicket of which he scored 40 in quick time.

The Wembdon opening bowlers returned to try and dry up the runs, but it was Marrs who picked up a couple late wickets to finish with 4-27 from his 10 overs, as Butleigh closed on a solid 208 for 8.

At the half way point in their reply, Wembdon were 102-6 and a special innings would have to be on the cards if Wembdon were going to make it four wins from four.

The hope rested on Karl Trunks and A Phillips - runs started to flow, with Trunks in particular finding some form right on cue striking the ball to the boundary regularly.

After a brief spell of no wickets and Butleigh bowlers looking jaded, a needless quick single and direct hit from the fielder had Phillips on his way.

Trunks however blasted 50 from 28 balls and suddenly both sides had hope.

With the Wembdon score on 181 Trunks went for one shot too many and was bowled on 56.

Wembdon skipper R Eckley and fellow tail ender M Hubbard did all they could but Growden claimed the final wicket as Wembdon were dismissed for 183.

Wembdon travel to Bishops Lydeard on Saturday looking to recover quickly - and on Sunday travel to Middlezoy CC in the area semi-final of the Davidstow National Village Cup.