Palmer and Pope are heroes of narrow victory

Tag: aromatic solvent

WITH defeat looking almost certain at several stages of the match, Wembdon pulled off an improbable victory at Chilton Trinity on Saturday.

After they had been put in, they started confidently, with Russell Peck in commanding form as he and Simon Gitsham took the opening stand to 67.

Street introduced both their spinners to the attack and Peck became Dan Baber's first victim as he edged a ball that lifted sharply to first slip. His impressive knock of 48 included 5 fours and 3 sixes.

The usually-reliable Alex Bailey was caught and bowled by Baber, then, in tandem with wicketkeeper Jon Cox, the spinners ran through the remainder of the batting aided by poor shot-selection and lack of application.

Only Rob Palmer remained defiant with 23 not out, running out of partners as Wembdon were all out for 118. It seemed totally inadequate, with Street able to bat for 51 overs.

After an early tea, Street soon lost their first wicket, as the accurate Bailey removed Andy Bartlett. The same bowler dismissed the No 3 batsman and Street were struggling at 13-2.

Cox and Pope showed sound defence and the ability to put away any loose deliveries as the score moved to 74 until skipper Dan Bingham bowled Cox for a brave 32.

Brendan Pope was brought on and immediately removed Talbot for a duck, then took two further wickets to finish with a remarkable analysis of 3-6 in six overs.

Batsman Pope departed to an excellent catch by Bailey for 39 and Street slumped to 102-8, still 17 runs short, with plenty of overs left.

No 8 Bradshaw was still at the crease and he struck 2 fours from the returning Jon Brockwell and with the total on 114, victory was in sight.

Unable to get the strike for the last Bailey over, Bradshaw watched as Linter was bowled. He took a single from the first ball of the next Brockwell over, bringing Baber on to strike and in attempting to cut a ball outside off stump, he was brilliantly caught low down by wicketkeeper Peck to give Wembdon victory.

The bowling of Pope and the batting of Palmer had proved conclusive in a low-scoring, but exciting match.

On Saturday, Wembdon have a difficult fixture away to Bishops Lydeard.