Wellington 2nd XI continued their impressive Somerset League Reserves Competition Division Two league run with another thumping victory, this time at the expense of Purnells 2nd XI writes team captain James Dyke.

Wellington lost the toss, but with the team’s impressive run chasing record over previous weeks they were not that disappointed to be asked to field first.

The first 20 overs of the Purnells innings would prove to be the key to Wellington’s eventual victory as the opening attack of Richard Henwood and Martin Short both bowled miserly spells. Henwood with a high action and good pace made the most of the new ball and with the help of a good lunging catch at mid wicket by Julian Jones took the first wicket of the game.
At the other end Martin Short gave the batsmen absolutely nothing as he dropped the ball on a perfect length over after over.
His eventual figures of 12 overs for only 18 runs pay testimony to the overall control he exerted during his spell.

The introduction of Andy Mitchell at the tennis court end brought about a wicket straight away as he accepted a very sharp catch in his follow through to get rid of the dangerous looking Brady.
Mitchell, who is fast becoming a wise exponent of the swinging ball, also accounted for Loveder with another caught and bowled dismissal.

Chris Rudd was brought into the attack in the 28th over and he too took a wicket in his first over when D.Redwood mistimed a drive to extra cover where Dyke was waiting to take a comfortable catch. Things got even better in Rudd’s second over as he snapped up two wickets in two balls – the first caught at a deepish mid off by Richard Henwood, the second LBW as Bull went back and across instead of forward. This left Purnells reeling at 80-6 but the key lay in the fact that 31 overs had already been bowled.
With Bob Trott getting through his overs quickly at the other end Purnells skipper Wenmoth knew that a change of tack was needed and went on the offensive.
His partnership with P.Redwood was the most positive point in their innings as they added 69 runs for the 8th wicket.
Wenmoth hit well through the line of the ball to end unbeaten on 50 and it was largely this knock that helped Purnells reach 159-8 at the end of their innings.

In reply Wellington’s opening pair of Julian Jones and Phil Nicholls got stuck into the run chase straight away with Jones in particular hitting the ball with real venom through the off side. His positive stroke play meant that Wellington had 60 on the board within 12 overs and were in control of the game. The dismissal of Nicholls who didn’t quite get over a drive and was caught in the covers didn’t quell the Wellington run rate as Richard Short carried on where he left off last week latching on to anything short with his trademark square cuts. Jones continued to time the ball superbly and his half century included shots all round the ground including a huge 6 over long off. With young leg spinner Nolan accounting for him shortly after he brought up his 50 Wellington were still looking good at 75-2. Nolan also bowled Chris Rudd round his legs with a good turning delivery in the next over and Wellington were facing a possible wobble with the score on 89-3. However Wellington skipper James Dyke immediately got into his stride, hitting Nolan for 12 runs in one over and ultimately hitting him out of the attack. Short and Dyke combined intelligent running with powerful stroke play and neither looked in any trouble against a Purnells attack who were starting to wilt in the heat of the July sun. Dyke latched onto anything full of a length and his 44 not out included 8 fours. His partnership of 70 with Short who also ended the match unbeaten on 26 not out ensured that Wellington romped to their 5th consecutive league win picking up 33 points to Purnells 10. The team are now up to third having completed their second double of the season and are one point off second placed Butleigh 2nd XI and now face a top of the table clash next week with leaders Bridgwater 3rd XI.

The match ball for this fixture was kindly sponsored by Nick Last Builders (01823 665711) and the club are very grateful for their support.