West of England Premier Cricket League
Somerset Division
Staplegrove 1st XI (273-6) beat Chard 1st XI (117 all out) by 156 runs

CHARD are still looking for their first win in the WEPL Somerset Division after suffering a heavy defeat at Staplegrove.

The visitors put Staplegrove in to bat, but their bowlers had no joy until Jonathan Scott trapped Joseph Pantling (16) lbw with the hosts on 61.

That brought Ben Howe into the middle, and he smashed 111 off 94 balls.

With Thomas Pantling scoring 69 and Aaron Nurcombe 25*, the hosts made 273-6 in 50 overs.

Nathan Johnson took 2-46 and Jonathan Scott 1-31 for Chard.

The away side were on the back foot at 7-1 as Ian Bishop saw off opener Robert Glentworth (4).

That became 28-3 as Pete Moxom (14) and Harvey Dening (4) departed, and although Matthew Micale managed 19 and Jonathan Scott 29, wickets kept falling at regular intervals.

It was effectively over at 80-7, and although Chard reached 112 without further wickets, the last three tumbled for five runs.

Matthew Dimond finished with 3-29 and Thomas Pantling 2-3 for Staplegrove.

Chard picked up three points to move onto 24 overall after four games, two points ahead of bottom side Wellington.

This Saturday Chard are at Wembdon (1pm start), the side sitting in fifth.

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Chard & Ilminster News:

CENTURION: North Perrott captain Gordon Whorlow on his way to 110 against Weston-super-Mare. Pic: courtesy Adrian Hopper

West of England Premier League
Somerset Division
North Perrott 1st XI (299-3) beat Weston-super-Mare 1st XI (236-8) by 63 runs

NORTH Perrott are 13 points clear at the top of the WEPL Somerset Division after victory over their nearest rivals Weston-super-Mare on Saturday.

Both had won their opening three games, but it was North Perrott who moved onto four straight wins after a 63-run home success.

The home side batted first, and reached 36 before George Retter (18) was caught by Robert Turner off Tom Chambers.

Fellow opener Gordon Whorlow and new man Troy Johnson combined for the match’s defining stand, the former hitting 110 off 156 balls and Johnson 118 off 110.

Eleven 4s from Whorlow and 15 from Johnson took the fight to Weston’s bowlers, who took plenty of punishment for next to no reward.

That pairing took the hosts to 268 without further loss, and although both Johnson and Whorlow eventually fell, Jake Symes added a rapid 23 (from 12 deliveries) to take the total up to 299-3 off their 50 overs.

Charl Willoughby, with 1-41, was the pick of the visitors’ bowlers.

Weston were 19-1 in their reply when Andy Fear (9) was trapped lbw by Joshua Marshall-James, but a resilient second-wicket partnership between Simon Green (83) and Ryan Davies (28) pulled their side up to 80.

There Whorlow struck twice, dismissing Davies and then Chris Davidson for a duck – both caught by Stacy Hawes – to leave Weston really struggling at 84-3.

Green remained, though, and build partnerships with Patrick Howes (32) and Robert Turner (20) to take Weston past 150.

Symes secured the key wicket, Green caught and bowled at 183-5, and then struck again to remove Turner at 196-6.

Late showings from John Davidson (14), Ashley Allen (12) and Shabil Ahmed (14*) were far too little, too late, as Weston fell short by 63 runs.

For North Perrott, Symes finished on 2-27, Whorlow 2-41, Marshall-James 1-37, Will Ireland 1-43 and Johnson 1-44.

The result meant 19 points for the hosts, and six for Weston, which means there are now 13 points between the sides at the top of the table.

This coming weekend North Perrott travel to Staplegrove (1pm start), who are sixth after two wins and two losses.