Ilminster Cricket Club defeat Wellington in WEPL Somerset

Ilminster and Taunton Deane still cannot be separated at the top of WEPL Somerset after both sides picked up 20pts in their respective4 fixtures.

While Taunton Deane were defeating Bridgwater Seconds at home, Ilminster were doing the same to Wellington, also at home.

Lachlan Rice took five wickets as Wellington were reduced to 136 all out inside 39 overs then Adeesha Nanatakkara put on 74 runs off 73 balls with 10 fours and a couple sixes to see Ilminster home.

Wellington made a steady start to the innings as they reached 26 in the sixth over before the first wicket fell as Charlie Vickery picked up the first of three wickets for him.

By the time 10 overs had been bowled, Wellington were two wickets down as George Ruell was Vickery’s second victim, scoring seven from 28 balls.

Lakshan Edirisinghe top scored for Wellington with 53 runs off 76 balls but once he was out, Wellington were on 128-6 from 34 overs.

Only a further 10 runs were added by the time the 10th wicket fell with Rice taking five of the last six wickets.

The batting response from Ilminster started off slowly, with Tom Sainsbury out off the second ball of the innings.

However, Nanayakkara and Rice put on a partnership of 105 for the second wicket before the later was trapped lbw by Edirisinghe.

Vickery and Sam Spurway came in and put the finishing touches on the run chase to see Ilminster home with just under half their over left to bat.

Next up for Ilminster is a trip to bottom-side Butleigh while Taunton Deane travel to Wellington who will be looking to bounce back from this defeat.

In Somerset Cricket League Division 1, Ilminster Seconds were defeated by Long Sutton by 28 runs despite 65 runs from James Treacher before he was caught and bowled. The results leaves them fourth with five games to play, 17 points behind the top two.

The thirds lost in their Somerset Cricket League Division 5 South East match at North Newton Seconds. The hosts got 210 before being bowled out, with Matt Baker taking four wickets. However, Ilminster could only reach 136 before they were bowled out.

The fourths were also beaten at home by South Petherton Seconds as their visitors scored 168-8 from 40 overs but Ilminster could only reach 141 before being bowled out.