WELLINGTON 2nd XI took another step towards winning the third division championship in the Somerset Cricket League after beating Chard 2nd XI away by 35 runs.

Victory enabled Wellington to stay 24 points clear of main title rivals Middlezoy who kept up their challenge with an eight-run win over North Perrott.

Batting first against Chard, Wellington scored 186-8 in their 35 overs. Oli Beale top scored with 38. Dan Binding was 24 not out, while Charlie Burrough made 25, Aks Latifi 21 and opener James Brackenbury 19. Benjamin Riley took 3-44 and Lewis Griffiths 2-34.

Riley top scored for Chard, hitting 50 which included eight fours, while Lewis Griffiths scored 31 not out as the South Somerset side were restricted to 151-7 in their 35 overs. Neil Hendy was the pick of the Wellington bowlers with 4-17 while Dan Binding took 1-36.

Batting first against North Perrott, Middlezoy scored 195-9 in their 32-overs a side match with Greg Turner scoring 64 before being run out. Opener Sam Stoker knocked 38, Ben Pemeroy 27 and Ashley Clapp 24 not out. Pawan Watagedara took 2-31.

Sam Rowswell led North Perrott’s chase for the runs, scoring 56 not out. Will Frost made 43, Ben Lacey 27 and Dan White 24 not out.