The loss of thirty overs due to rain in this Somerset League Division Seven South match with top dogs Fitzhead Crusaders saw that the only outcome was going to be a draw for Wellington 3rd XI who, nonetheless, collected a decent haul of 27 points from the game and are nicely placed in fifth and on the whole probably had the better of the game.

With rain always been likely to play a part in proceedings whoever won the toss was going to bowl first and it was Wellington who had that choice and Crusaders stepped up to bat first…

Seward and D.Parsons started well as they added 47 in good time with the rain always closing in; Parsons was first out as he was the first of four victims for Andy Hurry who used the green track well to take 4-20 in eight good overs of seam after Tom Perry and Ryan Adams had delivered a couple of good spells with the new ball.

Richard Henwood joined the attack and saw that he, like Hurry, obtained some good assistance from the pitch and with took 1-17 in eight overs, though he deserved more.

Tyler Fyfe and Tom Perry took wickets late on as Wellington’s third string collected nine bowling points and had they been able to remove Smith who made a powerful 62no then it may have been that Wellington were more looking at a win than collecting batting points as a priority action.

As it was through Smith’s good play Fitzhead batted their 40 over allocation as the rules allow when time has been lost after a game has commenced and so Wellington had just 20 overs to bat, but they showed a fast scoring set of heels as Trevor Brooks and Andy Hurry added 53 for the first wicket which was ended when Brooks was stumped for 18.

Hurry hit a powerful 44, but was bowled looking to keep up the chase and good support came from Sam Nelson with 12 and Ryan Adams with 11, but in the end Wellington had to ensure that there was no wobble and it was achieved with Tom Perry hitting a good 22no and Richard Henwood 10no with Smith taking 2-13 in four overs before the game ended drawn and it was back to the New Inn at Halse for a drink and a chewing over of the day’s events.