WELLINGTON 3rd XI suffered a nine-wicket loss at home to fellow-strugglers Ilton Seconds in Division Six West of the Somerset Cricket League.

It was their eighth defeat of the season and they are now only one place off the bottom, with only Ilton below them.

Wellington are left with only one more fixture - at home to title-chasing Taunton Indian this coming Saturday.

Batting first against Ilton, Wellington scored 140-7 in their 40 overs with Des Campbell top scoring with 44, which included six boundaries. Opener Trevor Brooks scored 20 while No 9 batter Tylor Fyfe hit 26 not out off 29 balls.

Jordan Sewell was Ilton’s most successful bowler, taking 4-15, while David Rowe, Matt Jackson and William Salway all collected one wicket.

A target of 141 to win proved no problem for Ilton whose openers Luke Brown, who scored a splendid 74 not out, and Ricky Selway (50) put on 129 for the first wicket.

Winscombe have a 24-point lead at the top of the table, but second-placed Taunton Indian have a crucial game in hand. Wembdon will have to settle for third place, while Ilton remain 30 points adrift at the bottom of the table.