Wellington fell just twenty runs of their first Baker Cup Final appearance since 1987 when they lost to fellow WEPL Somerset Division side North Petherton in this semi final clash at Taunton CC last Thursday evening.

When Petherton skipper Lloyd Irish speared one high in the air and was caught by Arron Campbell off of Luke Desave Wellington had a decent early wicket, but a second wicket stand of 83 between Owen Irish, former first class player Mike Burns (who retired hurt on 25) and Lewis Knight boosted Petherton towards three figures.

They reached this level, but then Wellington claimed six wickets for sixty as Paul Short spun the ball hard to take 3-43 and Jack Beal and Luke Desave bowled a good line and length to take 2-38 and 2-27 respectively – all bowled their five overs well as did Arron Campbell who took a wicket too.

Wellington needed 167 to win and make a spot of history and when Aks Latifi and Zandre Swartz had eighteen on the board in two overs the Red and Blacks were moving forward well.

Swartz had made 21 and was looking in mean form when he was caught at long off.

Paul Short replaced him and made a crisp 21 to get Wellington going and when he was caught on the boundary 100 runs were needed to win.

Alex Sparks with 39 and Arron Campbell with 13 got Wellington to 103-3 when a double blow was suffered as Campbell was adjudged LBW and Sparks was caught next ball.

Luke Desave and Jack Beal had a really good go at the required runs, but it was always just out of reach despite them making 10 and 19.

Ollie Wilkins played well late on, but the tidy medium pace of Scott Briffett with 4-39 saw that North Petherton would contest the 2016 Baker Cup Final against Taunton St Andrews A at Somerset CCC on Wednesday 22nd June from 6.00pm