Peasedown St John 261-5 – Wellington 266-3
The 1st XI travelled to bottom club Peasedown St John needing to win so as not to lose the value of the previous week’s win over Wembdon. On winning the toss Rob Moysey asked the home side to bat first on a ground where Wellington had never won.
PSJ’s start was electric as Wilkinson and Denning racked up 65 for the opening wicket in quick time.
Wellington’s bowlers were despatched as the short boundaries and fast outfield made sure that runs would flow all afternoon.
Wellington’s pace attack proved ineffective on a clear, hot, sunny day and gave way to a double spin option in the form of Gary Tillett and Rob Moysey and they pulled Wellington back into the game well as their combined 24 overs went for just 98 runs.
Tillett got the crucial wicket of PSJ skipper Denning, but not before he had made an imperial knock of 136.
Thom Trott claimed 2-64 in 8 overs, but at tea Wellington were staring down the barrel of a massive total of 262 to win.
But this acted as a spur rather than a hindrance as Wellington chased down the runs required, winning with two overs and a ton of wickets to spare, as they broke the hearts of the home side.
Rob Moysey and Mark Salter added 49 in good time and style before Moysey was dismissed by the ever-dependable Gullock whose 2-40 in 12 overs was, in the context of the game, a superb effort.
Alex Sparks with 25 and Julian Smit with 21 got the Wellington score to 128-3 in good time, but more was still needed by Wellington if they were going to chase down this imposing total.
Mark Salter and Matt Colman did what was required and more as they added an unbroken 138 for the fourth wicket as PSJ’s attack was flayed to all parts.
Salter carried through to 113no and Colman a fine 54no as they carried Wellington through to one of their best ever victories and indeed to their fourth highest ever league total.
The bowler to suffer most was Burgess whose 10 overs cost 83 runs.
PSJ were left shell-shocked after they had lost their sixth game of the season and, with only two games to go until the half-way point of the season, look doomed already.
As for Wellington this performance will linger long in the memory and lifts them to seventh in Division One of the Somerset League after they collected 30 points to PSJ’s 13.
The only down side to what was a highly successful weekend for Wellington was the news that 1st XI batsman Marc Holloway had suffered a triple finger break whilst in the field. He awaits further news on the injury and this will determine the length of time that he will be out of action. Everyone at the club sends him their best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
