West of England Premier League
Somerset Division
Wellington 119-4 beat Chard 115 by 6 wkts

CHARD suffered their first league defeat of the season on Saturday, as they limped to a home loss against newly-promoted Wellington.

Despite the early loss of Reid Mawdsley (8), the hosts looked well set as they passed 60, only for Jon Dalwood (17) to be given out to a hotly-disputed lbw decision.

Neil Hendy (5-21 off 10 overs) then removed Harvey Dening (46), who had batted well but presented a gift of a catch to Sam Whitefield.

Hendy proceeded to rip through the Chard middle order, as they collapsed from 61-1 to 90-6.

Jonathan Scott (9) and Akhona Mbanga (13) resisted for a while, reaching 110, but after Arron Campbell (2-26) did for both of them, it was left to Whitefield (2-1 off 1.4) to finish the hosts off in 32.4 overs.

Chard needed early wickets in the reply, and Mbanga (2-47 off 10) and Richard Scott (1-22 off three) delivered them toi reduce Wellington to 26-2.

But Whitefield proved a thorn in the hosts’ side once more, with 56no off 79 balls, and with the help of Jack Beal (13) and Rob Moysey (7no), he took his side over the finish line inside 31 overs.

Despite the defeat, Chard remain top of what is looking like an interesting Somerset Division this season, with Wellington and Taunton Deane 2nds shaking things up.

Chard – who have Chris Scott back in contention – travel to play second-placed Frome on Saturday (12.30pm start).