WEPL Bristol & Somerset

Wembdon 148 lost to Knowle 234-8 by 86 runs

A LACKLUSTRE batting display from Wembdon saw them slip to an 86-run defeat at the hands of Knowle.

Former Somerset and England all-rounder Ian Blackwell was the lone ranger of the Wembdon innings, smashing 86 from 90 balls, but with his dismissal the game slipped away, as the visitors fell well short of Knowle’s 234-8.

Knowle elected to bat first and with limited swing and the pitch not offering much it looked like it would be long hard slog for the Wembdon bowlers.

Young Matt Hubbard the pick of the early overs desperately deserving a wicket but going without. Phillips replaced Bingham and picked up the first wicket trapping Wilson LBW.

Bingham then returned at the opposite end replacing Hubbard, Knowle had reached 47 for 1. The change of ends did the trick and Bingham claimed a good caught and bowled first ball, before going on to claim 4-15 to leave Knowle 88-5 after 25 overs.

A stand of 76 for the sixth wicket got Knowle back into the game, as overseas Price scored 71. Bingham returned for his last two overs and dismissed Milton (39) breaking the partnership and finishing 5-37 from 10 overs.

Gower departed in the first over of the Wembdon reply, before an unimaginable collapse saw four of the top five all score a duck. Bingham joined Blackwell at the crease with the score on 19 for 4 with only five overs gone.

Blackwell brought up his half century, as Wembdon crawled to 83 for 5 – but a needless run out saw the skipper depart.

And when Blackwell followed in similar fashion, Wembdon were dead and buried.

Wembdon now face a huge two weeks with games against the bottom two, starting with Bishopston at home 1pm on Saturday.