Wellington Cricket Club

This was the only match to finish in Division One of the Somerset League’s Reserves competition as all other matches were abandoned as draws, but the latter stages were played in heavy rain that did neither side any favours.
Glastonbury – bottom of the table going into the match – won a crucial toss and had no hesitation in asking Wellington to bat first and it was hard work for the entire 45 overs as Wellington never reached three runs an over.
Kevin Crout and Chris Nicholls added 33 for the opening wicket in 14 overs, but when Crout was bowled by Cox for 21, Glastonbury turned the screw big time with only Chris Rudd (22) finding much joy against the medium pace of Wade (2-23 in 11 overs) and the leg-spin of Galpin (1-22 in 10 overs).
Richard Henwood found some late impetus with 34no, but 116-6 in 45 overs was all that Wellington could muster.

Glastonbury skipper Odam ran himself out early on and the visitors were not exactly running away with things, but steady accumulation from Holland and S.Williams raised their stock, although Wellington were sure that Holland had edged one off his bat on to his pad, but Kevin Crout’s appeals were rejected.
Chris Nicholls pouched him soon after off of Bob Trott who again bowled a fine spell of off-spin bowling – taking 3-28 in 12 overs as he maintained an excellent line and length throughout.
Wellington introduced Phil Nicholls into the attack and catches from Trott and Richard Henwood did make Glastonbury 94-6 and Wellington felt that they might just pull off an unlikely victory, but Smith and Cox dug in, and despite Cox throwing his bat through the air three times as the grip became increasingly wet and slippery, the Thorns edged home for 31 points to Wellington’s eleven.

Wellington drop to eighth in the table with Winscombe and Taunton St Andrews below them – these are the two teams that are left to come to Courtland Road and these are now must win games for Wellington if they are to retain their top-flight status for 2008.

The match ball for this fixture was sponsored by Noel Dillon Paintless Dent Removal and the club and team are most grateful to them for their input in this respect.