WEMBDON survived a scare against Bishops Lydeard to remain top of the table with a 39-run victory on Saturday.

Spinner Prakash Joshi bowled his side to victory with 4-34, as Wembdon successfully defended a decent total at Watt’s Lane.

Earlier, a remarkable innings of 87 not out from Karl Trunks had carried Wembdon to a competitive total after the top-order had been blown away by Lydeard’s William Packman, who finished with figures of 6-37.

Wembdon’s innings started in disastrous fashion as Packman dismissed Jack and George Lowe and Sam Puddy for less than double figures.

The rot continued as Curd (12), Bingham (26) and Joshi (15) all fell in quick succession, to leave Lydeard six wickets down with just 100 on the board.

Enter Trunks, batting at number eight. The lower-order batsman took the innings into his own hands as he smashed his way to a brilliant half-century in quick-time.

With wickets tumbling at the other end, Trunks appeared unflustered as he bludgeoned the table-toppers past the 200 mark.

In reply, the Lydeard chase seemed under control with opener Bellamy stroking his way to a well-made 50.

Bingham (2-29) and Hubbard (1-23) had earlier made in-roads, but Bellamy (60) looked to be guiding his side to victory.

However the introduction of Joshi swung the game back into Wembdon’s favour. The spinner accounted for Bellamy before sweeping through the lower-order.

Lydeard just didn’t have an answer to Joshi’s turn and guile as he and Bingham took Wembdon closer to victory.

Bingham returned to clean bowl the final Lydeard batsman, to seal a hard-fought victory and keep Wembdon top of the pile.