WEPL Somerset Division

Chard 141 beat Bridgwater 2nds 98 by 43 runs

CHARD’S two Scotts dug them out of a hole as the hosts moved back up to second in the table with a low-scoring win over Bridgwater 2nds on Saturday.

Chard opted to bat first but canny visiting seamer Ian Higgins caused early problems, clean bowling Akhona Mbanga (5) and yorking Nathan Johnson (0) within the space of three balls to reduce the hosts to 11-2.

First change bowler Kieran Windsor (3-25 off five) then accounted for Paul Rideout (2), Harvey Dening (12) and the in-form Jon Dalwood (0) as wickets continued to tumble.

It was 51-6 when Reid Mawdsley (15) was trapped in front by Higgins, who finished with 3-23 from 10 overs, and the dangerous Scott Wells-Burr then fell for eight to leave the score 61-7.

Chard needed a partnership and it was provided by Jonathan Scott and Chris Scott, who dug in as required.

The pair brought up their 50 stand in the 33rd over and continued to put on 78 in what proved to be a match-winning partnership.

Their defiance was ended by a run out, which saw the back of Jonathan Scott for 37 from 83 balls.

The end came quickly after that, with Chris Scott bowled shortly afterwards for a 76-ball 83 as Chard were bowled out for 141.

Chard needed their opening bowlers to be on song defending a modest score and, once they had found their rhythm, Mbanga and Wells-Burr took wickets at regular intervals to leave the visitors on the back foot.

Seven of the top eight fell for single figure scores, with only opener Tom Pope (24) giving the scorers too much to do, as the new-ball pair shared the scalps between them.

All four of Mbanga’s victims were clean bowled as he finished with 4-53 from his 10, while Wells-Burr bowled very nicely for his 4-33 from 10.

From 61-8, Bridgwater needed a partnership similar to that of the Scotts and Daniel Rossiter (12) and Kieran Windsor (12) displayed defiance lacking in the top order.

They took the score to 90 before, with the opening pair bowled out, spinners Chris Scott (1-0) and Jon Dalwood (1-7) finished the job as Bridgwater were dismissed for 98.

The victory saw Chard leapfrog their opponents in the table but they remain 43 points behind runaway leaders Frome, who beat Yeovil on Saturday.

The pace-setters are being inspired by former Somerset batsman Robin Lett, who has scored 552 runs in nine matches so far and has not failed to pass 50 since May 25.

Chard travel to mid-table Wembdon on Saturday (12.30pm).

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CHARLIE Norman’s five-wicket haul helped Broadway & Horton defeat Chard 2nds by 51 runs in Saturday’s Division 3 derby.

Broadway batted first and, led by contributions from Ian Hosken (40) and Joel Larkman (38), posted 190.

Brett Garner took 5-34 for Chard, who slipped to 19-3 in reply before a fine knock from Josh Short kept them in the hunt.

Norman, who had opened the bowling, returned to devastating effect to rip through the tail and finish with 5-41 as Chard were bowled out for 139, Short left stranded on 70 with nine fours and three sixes.

In the same division, North Perrott 2nds’ Max Dicker struck an unbeaten 63 from 50 balls to see his side to a three-wicket win at Wembdon 2nds.

Rick Hyett had earlier taken 2-42 to help restrict Wembdon to 177-5.

Ilminster 2nds lost ground on the Division 2 top two as they were defeated by their Frome counterparts.

Frome skipper Richard Potter made 66 as his side posted 179-6, Craig Rice taking 2-45 for the hosts.

Andrew Robinson (48) and Ian Masters (34) helped Ilminster to a good foundation at 94-2, but there were few valuable contributions down the order and the home side slipped to 138 all out in the 43rd over.

Crewkerne kept the pressure on the Division 4 top two as they comfortably saw off Kilmington & Stourton by seven wickets.

Gary Fry (4-27 from nine) and Darren Parsons (4-20 from nine) were in fine form with the ball as Crewkerne bowled out their visitors for 164.

Jon Gould (40*) and Robert Keylock (41*) then joined forces to get the job done with a minimum of fuss.

Winless South Petherton were beaten by leaders Huntspill & District, who posted 293-7 with Matt Osmant contributing 116.

James Edmunds took 3-53 for South Petherton, whose 216-6 in reply featured an unbeaten 72 from Alex Davy.

Division 7S leaders Broadway & Horton 2nds suffered a surprise defeat at lowly Wellington 3rds in Division 7S.

Richard Henwood’s 37 led Wellington to 144, with Chris Izzett (3-45) and Mark Davies (3-40) among the wickets for Broadway.

The pace-setters slipped to 14-3 in response and, though Andy Knight (20) and Laurence Watkins (33) led a recovery of sorts, the final wicket fell on 113.

Ilminster 3rds were restricted to 124-9 at home to Long Sutton 2nds, who lost only one wicket in their successful pursuit of the runs.

James Salaman’s century helped North Perrott 3rds to a ninth win in 10 Division 8S matches as the leaders overcame Ilton 2nds.

Ilton were skittled for 94 in reply to 274-5, with Perrott’s Phil Munden taking 5-28.

Trevor Goss (36) and Barry Dopson (33) were the chief contributors to Ilminster 4ths’ 144 against Kilmington & Stourton, who knocked off the runs with six wickets to spare despite two wickets for Simon Glover.

Chard 3rds were defeated at Taunton Deane 5ths, who racked up 250-5 led by Paul Goss’ 80 not out - David Crew (3-39 from eight) was the pick of the Chard attack.

Phil Tolley made a fine 78 in reply but Lewis Griffiths’ 38 was the only other score above four as Chard were restricted to 147-7.