WEPL Somerset Division
Wembdon 103-2 (revised) beat Bridgwater 2nds 129 by 8 wkts

WEMBDON claimed the bragging rights with an eight-wicket victory over Bridgwater 2nds on Saturday, writes Dan Bingham.

Under grey skies and with light drizzle the toss had extra importance - Wembdon won it and had no hesitation in choosing to bowl first. 

Despite good early bowling wickets weren’t tumbling and Wembdon had to be patient, but Brendan Pope eventually trapped Dominic Court (6) lbw. 

As the 15th over approached, Bridgwater’s score only just exceeded the number of overs bowled and Wembdon were by far the happier team.

A lengthy partnership for the second wicket saw Tom Pople score four off 41 balls and John Hill add 22 off 85 balls, but their resistance was broken by a Brockwell slower ball as Pople was clean bowled. 

First change bowlers Bingham and Hubbard continued where the openers had left off and both claimed early wickets, Bingham getting Ben Coombes for seven and Hubbard dismissing Alastair Witts (15) and Andrew Skidmore (18).

A rain delay saw the game reduced to 43 overs, and the introduction of Max Sellick and Josh Henry helped take three more wickets.

Brockwell returned at the death to remove Andrew Roberts, who top scored with 22, then removed Ian Higgins in the final over as Bridgwater were dismissed for 129 from 42.1 overs.

Wembdon’s bowling figures were very economical, with Brockwell the pick of them after taking 3-8 from 8.1 overs.

The second innings was interrupted more than once, and the game was reduced to 28 overs with a revised target of 103.

The innings started at a good pace with Bingham and Pope striking early boundaries whilst a number of extras helped to build the score.

Pope blasted 20 off just 12 balls, taking Wembdon ahead of the Duckworth/Lewis score, before being bounced out by Scott Clapp.

Puddy joined Bingham and the pair shared a 52-run stand for the second wicket as Wembdon stuck to the task at hand despite Bridgwater’s best efforts.

Sam Puddy struck 30 from 35 deliveries before being trapped lbw attempting to sweep Matt Habberfield, but by this stage Wembdon were 87-2 and almost home and dry.

Brockwell partnered Bingham at the crease for the remainder of the innings, and Wembdon lost no further wickets with Brockwell finishing on 10 and Bingham batting the duration of the innings to finish 34 not out.

This Saturday, Wembdon travel to North Petherton.

WEPL Somerset Division
North Petherton 263-5 v Temple Cloud (no result)

NORTH PETHERTON were frustrated by the rain in their attempts to chalk up a victory against Temple Cloud on Saturday.

Both Brad Porteous (117) and Paul Short (105) made excellent centuries as Pethy recovered from the early loss of openers Ian Blackwell (3) and Tim Gibbs (9) to reach 263-5 after 44 overs.

Unfortunately for the visitors, no further play was possible as the weather intervened from thereon in, denying Pethy the chance to bowl at the bottom of the table hosts, for whom Mark Hamblin (3-50) and Chris Diaper (2-30) took the wickets to fall.

North Petherton, who sit sixth in the table after taking 11 points from Saturday’s abandoned match, will be hoping the weather picks up for their home clash with near neighbours Wembdon, who are going well this season and head into Saturday’s match in third place.