This was a high scoring game in Division Two of the Somerset League’s Reserves competition at Courtland Road last Saturday. Wellington 2nd XI prevailed and with it, scuppered Butleigh 2nd XI’s real hopes of promotion to Division One of the Reserves competition, as they needed a win to stay above promotion rivals Staplegrove.

Butleigh opted to bat on winning the toss and elected to take first use of an excellent track, and make use of it they did with a 1st wicket stand of 164 between Andrews (95) and Smith (72).
Short, Lee, Mitchell and both Rudd’s wheeled away for over after over with no success.
Martin Short’s figures of 0-29 in 10 overs were excellent in the circumstances and Simon and Chris Rudd got through several overs quickly, suddenly the run rate didn’t look so impressive, despite no wickets being taken.

The stand was finally broken by Bob Trott in the 37th over and Adrian Lee then weighed in with 2 wickets in the following over to make Butleigh’s scoring rate dwindle. They managed to get to 221-6 in 45overs, but with wickets in hand, they would have been dissapointed not to score faster – Lee took 4-47 in 9 good overs as Wellington pulled
things back nicely.

After losing a wicket at 2 Rupert Green and Alex Sparks added 91 for the second wicket and Wellington were going in the right direction.
Green struck 45 and Sparks made a third consecutive league half-century in making 69 in a quality knock from the teenager, hitting 8 boundaries.

Kevin Crout weighed in with 11 and a rapid 16 from Chris Rudd saw Wellington through to 163-5 with Simon Rudd and James Dyke joining at the crease – they took the score to 188-6 when Dyke was out.
Cue Rudd and Adrian Lee to win the game in style for Wellington as Rudd made 48no and Lee won the match in the grand manner with a six to take 31 points to Butleigh’s 16.

With Staplegrove beating bottom side Burnham-on-Sea it is they and not Butleigh who will join divisional winners Taunton Deane 3rd XI in Division One of the SCL Reserves competition next season.
Wellington 2nd XI finish fourth and this is fine effort from James Dyke, Bob Trott and their charges.