Wellington are the only unbeaten side in Division One of the Somerset League following their third win in a row when they despatched North Petherton by a margin of 39 runs at home last weekend to collect 33 points and set up a 19 point gap over Taunton Outcasts.

Paul Short opted to bat first and it was he and Michael Gill who added a fine 71 run opening stand for Wellington’s first wicket as the pair latched on to some wayward Petherton bowling – Short played the cover drive with good timing and Gill played the square cut well, but a stand that had been untroubled generally was undone by the run out of Short for 25.

From this point Gill made it to an excellent 60, but Wellington’s middle struggled to match the opening stand as the score dipped to 112-6 as Bunce and away skipper Lewis Irish brought their side back into the game well with spells of 2-31 and 3-48 respectively.

Step forward Mark Salter (23) and Rob Moysey (35) to add a crucial 56 runs for the seventh wicket as they ran between the wickets well and wrong footed Petherton who had come back well after their initial profligacy with the ball.

Wellington closed on 177-9 at tea.

That North Petherton were less than forty runs short of victory with the best part of a dozen overs left shows that had someone dropped anchor for them it would have been a closer game, but they lost wickets too often to really challenge Wellington, although O.Irish with 56 and Bunce with 30 did give Wellington a few anxious moments.

Michael Gill and Adrian Lee made the initial breakthroughs as Wellington caught well and Rob Moysey with 3-45 and Paul Short with 4-26 completed the deal as Wellington’s good bowling strength and options shone once more.

The team have another big weekend this one coming as they entertain Westlands on Saturday in another crucial league match before a Baker Cup quarter final away to the holders – WEPL Premier One side Taunton Deane – on Monday.