CRICKET: North Petherton pip Wembdon in dramatic derby

North Petherton 223-7 beat Wembdon 222 by three wickets

NORTH Petherton took the local bragging rights from Saturday’s derby clash with Wembdon, running out winners by three wickets in a nail-biting match.

Lewis Irish (52), Ian Hucker (48) and Jacobus Pienaar led the way for Pethy as they successfully chased down Wembdon’s 222 all out, while Pienaar also starred with the ball taking 4-18 from 5.1 overs.

Jonathan Brockwell (73) top scored for Wembdon before they were dismissed in 49.1 overs – but the visitors were left to rue a number of dropped catches in the Pethy reply, as they edged home with three overs to spare.

Wembdon batted first and lost Lott (0) early on, before a steady 64 run partnership between Dan Bingham (28) and Rich Gower (44) took the score to 73 before Bingham was bowled by Lewis Irish (3-50).

Irish then claimed Gower four overs later as Wembdon reached 85-3 from 20 overs – and four wickets from Pienaar ensured the Wembdon tail would not wag, despite Brockwell’s second successive half-century.

In reply Petherton started very positively, latching on to the short ball especially.

The first wicket came in the 22nd over by which time North Petherton had an opening stand of 93 - Ian Hucker (48) was the first to go, bowled by the spin of Gower.

Will Pope then dismissed overseas Pienaar (42) two balls before drinks – and North Petherton then reached 100-2 after 25 overs and were well on top.

Wembdon, by this time, had already shelled three catches and this was a trend that carried on throughout the innings.

The game was evenly poised Petherton 136-4 off 35 overs following a series of economical overs by Pope, Gower and Phillips.

Irish was leading the way for Pethy with a classy half-century, before a flurry of late wickets from Aaron Phillips (2-44) and Joshua Marrs silenced the crowd and left Pethy 198-7 ,requiring 25 from six overs.

Wembdon were unable to add to the wicket column as Lewis Knight (8) and Owen Irish (17) saw their side home – but five dropped catches cost Wembdon dear.