WEPL Somerset Division
Chard 322-5 beat North Petherton 268 by 54 runs

NORTH Petherton fell to their sixth defeat of the season as Chard leapt off the bottom with a surprise victory on Saturday.

On winning the toss, Chard chose to make first use of a good batting wicket, though the hosts started well as Lewis Knight had opener Robert Glentworth caught by Liam Winter for 6.

Four of the next five batsmen made serious contributions, however, with Nathan Johnson (87), Matthew Micale (44) and Jonathan Scott (55*) all assisting star man Pete Moxom, who finished agonisingly unbeaten on 99 as Chard ended with 322-5.

On a difficult day for Pethy’s bowlers, Knight led the way with 2-63 while Scott Briffett and Will Pope claimed a wicket apiece.

The home side’s response got off to a far from ideal start as Brad Porteous fell early, but Tom Williams (44) and Winter (19) rebuilt steadily.

However, when they each fell along with Paul Short and Harry Bowditch, both of whom recorded ducks, Pethy looked dead and buried.

That was until Lloyd Irish blasted his way to an excellent 112, and the wicketkeeper was well supported by Knight (38) and Briffett (18).

Ultimately, though, it was a case of too little, too late as Pethy were bowled out for 268 to leave themselves fifth in the division.

Chris Scott was the standout bowler for Chard, taking 5-37 from 10 overs.

Next weekend, Pethy will look to avoid a repeat as they take on the side Chard leapfrogged at the bottom, Temple Cloud.

WEPL Somerset Division
North Perrott 163-2 beat Wembdon 162 by eight wickets

WEMBDON made the long trip to second-placed North Perrott on Saturday and returned on the losing side, writes Dan Bingham. 

The visitors opted to bat, and North Perrott opened up with pace at one end and spin at the other, and the spin of Eckland provided the breakthrough as Josh Henry (1) was caught in the second over.

Sam Puddy joined Bingham, with the former stroking the ball to the boundary three times in seven balls before Puddy (14) mistimed his shot and was caught off the bowling of Eckland.

After 15 overs Wembdon had reached 59, but Bingham played around a Whorlow delivery and was bowled for 20.

On a ground typically friendly to batting Wembdon were in a spot of bother, however a solid partnership of 69 for the fourth wicket between an ever-improving Liam Pigden and skipper Jonathan Brockwell got the side back on track.

Pigden moved on to 29 when he was bowled by Johnson and 3 overs later Brockwell was on his way back for a classy 53.

This now left Wembdon 139-5 and comfortably short of a par score at Perrott.

Billy Vickery impressed with 24 not out, but he ran out of partners as the last five batsmen all failed to reach double figures as Wembdon were dismissed for 162 in 40 overs, with T. Johnson claiming 5-26 for North Perrott.

The North Perrott innings started frantically, as Wembdon had a big LBW appeal turned down whilst a run out opportunity could have removed G Retter for 0 and an early missed stumping could have made the outcome very different. 

After Perrott navigated the opening exchange they begun to score more freely, with skipper Whorlow his customary watchful self allowing Retter to attack.

Retter rode his luck a couple of times but moved quickly to a half century from 47 balls before Puddy removed both him and Johnson.

North Perrott had moved on to 94 from 20 overs and Wembdon tried a series of bowlers, mostly spin with a view to keeping the pace off the ball and making the batsmen work harder for their runs. 

In all, eight bowlers were tried but none could get any more wickets as Whorlow, who brought up his 50 late on, and J Symes (28*) saw Perrott reach the required total in the 38th over.

Perrott look a strong side and will fight it out with Weston for the title, but Wembdon remain in third despite the defeat and welcome local rivals Bridgwater 2nd XI (1pm start) to The Green on Saturday - the bar will be open from midday and all are welcome.