South Petherton 200-9 – Wellington 189
Wellington were looking to make it three Somerset League Division One wins in a row when they travelled to South Petherton last Saturday to take on a side that had won only one match this season and that was against bottom side Evercreech – a side with no wins whatsoever, but the Red and Blacks came away with an eleven run defeat after their fielding let them down at times and let the hosts – last season’s Division Two champions – score more than they should have done.
Rob Moysey asked the home side to bat first on winning the toss and he was given early good cause to celebrate as David Marshall removed Walmsley with only a single on the board, but Masters, with his unique batting style that had been seen when the sides met at Wellington back in May, and Doss added 60 for South Petherton’s second wicket as the home side recovered from their shaky start.
Effective innings from Guest (26) and Bolton (18) aided Doss to exert pressure on the Wellington attack who did not enjoy the rewards that had come their way seven days previously when they swept Wedmore aside for only 55.
Some chances were spilled and this saw South Petherton reach 132-3 at the 30 over stage.
Wellington were indebted to Gary Tillett who wheeled away for 12 overs and claimed the excellent figures of 5-44 as he pulled things back for Wellington.
By this time Wellington had got their catching hands back on and all of Tillett’s victims came through catches.
David Marshall and Phil Nicholls were the other successful Wellington bowlers, but the home side had been able to get to exactly 200 and this was more than they should have made.
Wellington were given an excellent start by Rob Moysey and Mark Salter as they added 60 for the opening wicket, this stand was ended when Moysey, on 28, was caught off Doss and this saw a slight wobble take place as three wickets were lost for 19 runs, but Salter and Mark Saunders got things going again and added 59 fourth wicket runs which was only ended when Salter was run out for 54 – had he stayed at the crease Wellington would surely have won – but with 138-3 becoming 140-5 the wobble had set in once more, but an inventive innings from Phil Nicholls who made 22 and gave Saunders great support and carried Wellington to within 25 or so runs of winning, but a hat-trick from Masters swept away any real hope of an away win and despite Thom Trott and Gary Tillett adding a double figure partnership for the last Wellington wicket Tillett was run out on the last ball of the penultimate over to give South Petherton a second win of the season.
Despite the defeat Wellington remain fourth in the table, but have lost ground on third placed Ilton – the visitors to Courtland Road this weekend.
