WEPL Somerset Division

Wembdon 302-7 beat Bishops Lydeard 76 by 226 runs

WEMBDON climbed to the top of the WEPL Somerset Division with a crushing victory over struggling Bishops Lydeard.

Joshua Marrs scored an impressive 92 and Rich Gower 64 as Wembdon posted an imposing 302-7 from 48 overs, before Brendan Pope (5-29) and Jon Brockwell (4-33) ensured an early finish at the Chilton Street Oval.

Lydeard won the toss and had no hesitation in asking Wembdon to bat first in overcast conditions.

Dan Bingham was joined by Jon Brockwell at the top of the order and the pair got Wembdon off to a steady start, playing patiently against the early swing and seam movement.

The pair added 45 in an opening partnership which ended in the 11th over when Bingham (13) was trapped LBW.

Gower, who has been in fine form in recent weeks, joined Brockwell and the pair accelerated the rate, with Gower especially peppering the boundary.

Marrs also continued his excellent run of form and shared a quick fire stand of 32 with Gower who was the next man to go for a well made 64 –before Marrs and Trunks added a further 51 for the fourth wicket.

A brief shower reduced the match to 48 overs and Wembdon decided to bat on ensuring they'd bat Lydeard out of the game.

Marrs was eventually hauled out for a sublime 92 and in that time had seen Wembdon go from 122-2 to now 289-5 – and some late order hitting took them past the 300 mark.

After tea the sizeable sum was always going to be a tough ask for the league’s bottom side.

Brendan Pope found himself on an early hat-trick ball and when Brockwell got amongst the wickets at the other end Lydeard were on the ropes.

Only B. Stone (23) offered any resistance handing out a couple of customary big blows.

After 10 overs Lydeard were 29-4 and that quickly became 62-9 as both Brockwell and Pope bowled their 10 overs straight through - and it was left Aaron Phillips, who required just five balls to finish off Lydeard in the 21st over.

Wembdon now sit on top of the WEPL Somerset Division with four games remaining and just three points separate the top three.

Thanks go to Maxwells Chartered Accountants and Mike Berry for their corporate day match sponsorship on Saturday.