WEPL Somerset Division
North Petherton 254-5 beat Wembdon 151-7 by 103 runs

WEMBDON suffered a heavy defeat on Saturday away to North Petherton, writes Dan Bingham.

Both sides had made several enforced changes from recent weeks but early honours went to Wembdon, who won the toss and elected to bowl in favourable bowling conditions.

Play, however, was delayed by rain and the game was, therefore, reduced to 40 overs a side.

Wembdon skipper Jon Brockwell got the first breakthrough in the first over with the ball swinging to bowl Tim Gibbs.

In the seventh over, proceedings were halted as Brockwell fell awkwardly fielding the ball - he was unable to finish his over and left the field. 

A trip to hospital confirmed a torn rotator cuff and puts the rest of his season in jeopardy - as skipper, leading run scorer and top seam bowler, Brockwell’s will be big shoes to fill.

Wembdon soldiered on and Bingham claimed the wicket of Tom Williams (16) with his first delivery to leave Petherton 26-2 after eight overs.

Wickets dried up, however, and a 98-run partnership for the third wicket followed with Brad Porteous, Petherton’s young overseas player, in particularly top form.

Wembdon rotated the bowlers and Dan Buller (3-35) was the stand-out performer, claiming the wickets of Liam Winter (40), Harry Bowditch (23) and Adam Burns (1).

Porteous carried on his onslaught, reaching back-to-back centuries and eventually finishing on 134 not out to take his side to 254-5 from 40 overs.

Wembdon certainly found it tough with 10 men and a big field but to the credit of those playing they stuck at it and soldiered on to the final ball.

Requiring more than a run a ball from the start was always going to be a tough ask made worse when Bingham picked out the mid-wicket fielder in the third over.

A mature partnership for the second wicket, 40 runs including 22 from 14-year-old D James-Stone and 23 from Jae Stone helped to rebuild the innings before both were removed in quick succession. 

Liam Pigden scored 25 with some classy strokes but, coming from 77 balls, was not at the rate required if Wembdon were going to claim a shock victory.

Wembdon plodded on and some late striking by M Sellick (14), A Rees (17) and E Howes (12) helped Wembdon claim an extra batting point as they finished on 151-7 from 40 overs.

Despite the defeat, Wembdon stay third and will look to bounce back at home to bottom side Temple Cloud on Saturday (1pm).