WEPL Somerset Division

Chard 151-6 beat Wembdon 147 by 4 wkts

A PATIENT and determined effort with the bat saw Chard to victory at Wembdon on Saturday.

The home team opted to bat first and flew out the traps, with overseas star Nkulelko Serame and Tom Lott adding 43 inside seven overs.

The introduction of Jon Dalwood’s spin brought about the breakthrough as, with just his fifth ball, he had the dangerous Serame (30) caught by Reid Mawdsley at extra cover.

Richard Scott (2-27) then accounted for Lott (10) and home skipper Jon Brockwell (5), who played on.

When Sam Puddy edged Chris Scott’s first ball of the day to Dalwood at slip, Chard had taken four wickets for 14 runs within seven overs and the hosts had to rebuild from 57-4.

Jack Lowe and Dan Bingham steadied the ship, adding 46 for the fifth wicket, but again Dalwood was the partnership breaker as he found Lowe’s edge and Jonathan Scott took the catch at slip.

Bingham (36) then fell to the same combination before Chris Scott (3-32) removed Brendan Pope and Max Sellick in consecutive deliveries to leave Wembdon 137-8.

Dalwood (4-25) picked up his fourth and Akhona Mbanga (1-43) returned to finish the innings off on 147 in the 36th over.

Chard were confident at the halfway stage after a fine effort with the ball but they were soon in a spot of bother as Dalwood and Nathan Johnson both fell without scoring to leave the score 3-2.

Mawdsley made a patient 13 while Harvey Dening was aggressive at the other end, striking seven fours and a huge six off Serame which landed on the roof of the large community hall at The Green.

Serame had his revenge, bowling Dening (42) with a superb doosra, to leave the game back in the balance with Chard on 70-4.

Jonathan Scott and Liam Cleal dug in against Serame to edge Chard towards their target, though the spinner did strike once more in his 10-over spell as Cleal was trapped in front for 13.

Scott continued to anchor the chase and, though he was run out for a valuable 35 with the scores level, Niall Crouch struck a boundary through the covers to win the game for the visitors.

Chard remain second and have closed the gap on leaders Frome, who lost a remarkable game at Minehead as the hosts recovered from 28-5 and 137-8 to post 273, number eight Freddie Wilson making 113.

Minehead will therefore arrive full of confidence for Saturday’s match at Chard, which begins at 12.30pm - Chard are without Jon Dalwood and Chris Scott.