West of England Premier League
Somerset Division
North Perrott 73-0 beat Staplegrove 1st XI 69 by 10 wkts

SPIN queen Lorraine Szczepanski returned regal figures of 6-7 from five overs as Perrott claimed the WEPL Somerset Division title at Staplegrove on Saturday.

The home side, cut adrift at the bottom of the table, were put in to bat and they lost former Surrey and Somerset player Ian Bishop without a run on the board.

Shaun Lee did his best to steady the ship and put on 40 with Matt Dimond (13).

However, once Lee was dismissed for 28 by Szczepanski, the writing was on the wall and a collapse followed, as she mesmerised the middle and lower order.

The innings was over within the next 10 overs with Szczepanski adding five more wickets, including that of Grove skipper Ryan Cleverly for 10.

Eight wickets fell for 16 runs, and Stacy Hawes returned 3-16 off 10.

Perrott’s reply was without mercy as their openers coasted to victory and the title in the 12th over.

Fittingly, skipper Gordon Whorlow was there unbeaten on 26, while Nick Taylor carried his bat for 25.

The title was confirmed after second-placed Frome fell to a surprise seven-wicket defeat after being bowled out for 86 at Wembdon, who are struggling to beat the drop.

As it stands, Perrott will be promoted into the West of England Premier 2 Bristol/Somerset Division.

This coming Saturday, they close their season at home to Uphill Castle (12.30pm start).

***

WEPL Somerset Division
Chard 236-3 beat North Petherton 219 by 17 runs

CHARD’s 1st XI travelled to North Petherton on Saturday and took first use of what appeared to be a good surface.

For once Chard openers Harvey Dening (24) and Nathan Johnson (31) built cautiously and the first wicket fell at 48.

With the entry of Pete Moxom the rate increased and when Chris Scott (30 not out from 30) joined him it accelerated again.

The Chard innings ended on 236-3 from 50 overs, with Pete Moxom amassing an outstanding 111 not out from 107 balls.

For a while it didn’t seem the visitors’ total would be enough, with the aggressive Lewis Irish hitting 46 from 34 balls.

However, Chris Scott (2-31 off 10 overs) and Joe Draper (2-24 off 10) in his slow-medium style put the brakes on, and with the pacy Akona Mbanga (3-43 off 10) joining in, Chard were on top.

Ryan Meppem (69 from 87) and Paul Short (22 from 31) threatened again, but both fell to Harvey Dening (2-39 from 3.5).

Chard could then breathe more easily and Pethy were all out for 219 in the 48th over.

And so Chard ended their losing streak to stay in fourth spot, and Minehead’s loss to Bridgwater 2nds has made third place a possibility.

Chard entertain Wembdon (who thrashed second-placed Frome last weekend) this Saturday (12.30pm), to cap off what has been a very positive season.