CRICKET: Wembdon win Terry Mockridge Shield

WEMBDON bounced back from defeat at home to Chard the previous weekend, with a comprehensive win at Taunton Deane 2nd XI on Saturday that moves them four points off second place.

Having lost the toss, Wembdon were asked to bowl first and the Taunton Deane batters were quick to punish anything loose.

Matt Hubbard got the breakthrough in the fifth over, trapping Sam Burgess lbw, and then had Sam Loud and Ali Warren caught behind, leaving Taunton Deane 27-3 and Hubbard on 3-5 from five overs.

Wembdon’s good spirits were then dampened with a 58-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

An 11-over wait for the next wicket also saw Henry Mellor and Luke Williams score at a good rate with a flurry of boundaries.

Jon Brockwell got the breakthrough to remove Mellor for 39, while Nkululeko Serame delivered a double wicket maiden next up.

Taunton Deane were now 85-6 and Wembdon had reclaimed the momentum.

Lott came on to remove Brendan Craggs but Ed Mellor (43no) and Ben Osborne (30) added a valuable 58 to take the Deane to 201-9.

Wembdon opened with Tom Lott and new partner Tom Brooks, and they raced to 24 from three overs and 65 off 10.

Lott and Brooks struck a total of 17 boundaries and shared a 100-run opening partnership which came in the 18th over – a first for several seasons.

Brooks was the first to go for 33 and Lott was joined by Sam Puddy, who promptly hit a big six out of the ground.

Lott eventually fell for an impressive 67 and there were 77 runs required when skipper Brockwell (35no) joined Puddy (39no) and both motored along.

Wembdon cruised to victory in the 37th over with the best batting performance of the season.

Match sponsors: Maxwells Chartered Accountants

Wembdon welcome league leaders Frome to The Green next Saturday, for should be a hard-fought contest with two full strength, in-form teams going head to head.

All are welcome for a 12.30pm start.

In other news: Wembdon were victorious against North Newton in the Terry Mockridge Shield final held at Staplegrove.

Wembdon posted 172-7 from 20 overs having been put in to bat; Lott (15), Brockwell (20), Puddy (27), Serame (16), Bingham (25) and Ed Howes (30) all made contributions.

In reply, three quick wickets by Brockwell and four from Serame halted any North Newton progress.

Scores of 53 from Clemenson and 27 from Sellick helped Newton reach a respectable 118-9 from 20 overs.

Brockwell was also awarded the man of the match award.

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WEPL Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset
Ilminster 1st XI 129-1 beat Shapwick & Polden 126

SHAPWICK slumped to a heavy defeat at the hands of Ilminster on Saturday, despite making a bright start.

Openers Sam Edmunds (15) and James Venkatrao (17) took the score to 38 before Harry Montacute claimed three of the top four in quick succession.

Shapwick were reduced to 53-5 before John Stratton mounted the fightback in a classy knock of 45, including six fours.

He and Ben Rudge moved the scored on to 90 before Rudge was out for 12.

Stratton continued to resist a fine Ilminster attack, as Shapwick passed the 100 mark but, as the wickets continued to fall, he was last man out in the 42nd over.

Montacute (3-21 off 10) and Adam Cox (3-18) were the pick of the visitors’ bowlers, with Richard Elswood chipping in with 2-32.

The meagre total was never likely to be enough as George Hayward and John Warry set out in confident mood.

Shapwick used six bowlers in an attempt to dislodge the openers but they saw the total on to 108 before Warry was the victim of Steve Coppell for a fine 56 which included 10 fours and a six.

Hayward remained to see out the run chase, carrying his bat for 54 (nine fours and a six) as the home bowlers toiled with no further success.

Wayne Spencer was the pick of Shapwick’s attack, yielding 17 in his seven overs.

The defeat leaves Shapwick at the foot of the table and seemingly destined for relegation.

On Saturday, they travel to leaders Taunton Deane (12.30 start).