Wellington 2nd XI again came close to a first win of the season in Division Four of the Somerset League when they played at North Perrott 2nd XI last weekend, but dropping home opener Taylor on nought when he went on to make 73 made the difference.

Wellington’s second string was asked to bat first and saw Trevor Brooks and Mark Salter get away on a good track to the tune of a 34 run opening stand that was ended when Brooks was bowled for 17.

Mark Saunders joined Salter at the crease and they added 47 for the second wicket with Saunders, who is enjoying a good season with the bat for the side, making 26 in good time.

Wellington’s main block of runs on the day came from Salter who cracked a fine 67 and Luke Desave, on return from injury, who added 74 for the third wicket with the latter making 44 good runs.

Salter was out seven short of the team score reaching 200 as Ben Evett weighed in a run a ball 31.

George Coate’s knock of 12 was the best of the latter batters as Wellington were all out for 218 with two balls left; for Perrott Downing with figures of 0-9 in seven overs was exemplary on a day when some expensive figures were returned by the home bowlers.

Dropping Taylor on zero went a long way to seeing that Perrott came out on top as he made 73 thereafter as the home side’s other top order players gave good support as Wellington had to think hard on the bowling front.

Lewis Sparks and Tyler Fyfe took the new ball and on an unforgiving pitch for bowlers did all they could as Sparks took the opening wicket as Dicker was bowled for 16.

George Coate was vibrant with the ball, but went unrewarded all the same; success came Wellington’s way through the slower bowlers as Ben Evett, Mark Salter and Trevor Brooks took six wickets between them, but the home side got over the line in the end to leaving the Red and Blacks second string still looking for a first win of the season.