Wellington made a third visit to Appley this season following games in the Baker Cup and the Somerset League and came away with a 12 run win for the Midweek XI as the Red and Blacks defended their lofty total in the face of a 112 run opening wicket stand for the Ashes…

Wellington opted to bat first and saw Miles Cave and Ben Evett rattle 30 on the board, but both were out for 12 and 10 respectively by the time the score had reached this stage.

Sam Whitefield with 44, Oli Beale with 53 and skipper Jack Beal with 44 propelled Wellington to 180-7 as Rupert Gabriel with 3-32 was Ashbrittle’s best offering with the ball as Luke Desave and Tyler Fyfe were the unbeaten pair at the end of Wellington’s 20 overs.

Andy Hill and Alfie Venner-Woodcock with a stand of 112 got Ashbrittle going well and they were in a fine position having hit 58 and 57, but when Luke Desave caught Venner-Woodcock in the deep off of Sam Whitefield Wellington had a breakthrough and with Will Derrick finding himself on a hat-trick and Oli Beale doing same Wellington edged matters by 12 runs to set up a return match at home in two weeks time (Thursday 19th July).

After the game the players enjoyed a barbecue and enjoyed the warm evening weather; thanks go to Ashbrittle CC for laying this on…