Wellington 3rd XI need a dozen points to be sure of being runners up in Division Eight South of the Somerset League following this nervy, but, in the end, deserved win over hitherto unbeaten divisional champions Trull 2nd XI on a hot Bank Holiday Monday at Wellington Playing Field.

The effects of the previous days thundery downpours was evident as the pitch was slow and it was no surprise when the Red and Blacks asked Trull to take first knock on winning the toss.

Charlie Burrough, Tom Perry and Macaulay Campbell shared the Wellington attack for the first twenty-four overs of the Trull innings and in this passage of play saw that the season’s dominant side in the division were 97-4 at the end of it.

Perry took 2-14 in eight pacy overs and Burrough continued his good season with 1-26 in eight overs too – the wicket of Alcock for 17 was crucial; Campbell saw the back of Seward for 11 as this trio did well for their side.

They gave way to Ben Evett and Richard Henwood who saw that Trull would be bowled out for the only time this season as 121-5 became 131 all out in 34.2 overs with Evett taking a five-fer in returning 5-19 in 5.2 overs and Henwood 1-15 in five overs as only Smith with 49 really got stuck in for Trull.

Wellington would need 132 to win in front of a good numbered crowd who were enjoying the hot sunshine and it was Mark Saunders and Simon Burrough who would lead the team’s assault on the required total.

They added 34 runs in 16 overs as Trull bowled controlled and accurate medium pace – O’Connell with sixteen runs from eight overs, D.Morrish with nineteen runs from eight overs and Alcock with seventeen runs from eight overs show how the ball was on top.

Saunders made 16 and Burrough 13 and both were out by the time that the score had reached 37, but the base was set and less than 100 were needed.

Tom Hawkings with an innovative 33 showed the way to push the score on was to play over the top and this he did to good effect with three fours and a six.

Sadly he was run out after adding 53 for the third wicket with Dave Luxton who made a capital 32 – a fine knock all told.

Wellington’s score crept past three figures, but it became 112-6 with just four overs left and there was going to be a tight finish one way or another.

Just two runs came from the 37th over before Richard Henwood and Macaulay Campbell took seven from the 38th over and a telling twelve from the 39th over to see their side home by four wickets with just one over to spare – Campbell’s joy at hitting the four to win the game was evident for all to see.

Wellington took 35 points to Trull’s 12 and they visit Wembdon 4th XI next Saturday needing a handful of points to confirm second place and a second promotion in four seasons.