WEPL Somerset Division

Wembdon 267-5 beat Ashbrittle 265-8 by five wickets

A FOURTH-wicket stand of 152 between Jonathan Brockwell and Joshua Marrs fired Wembdon to a five-wicket victory over Ashbrittle on Saturday.

Brockwell (84) and Marrs (77no) combined to help Wembdon to their target with more than nine overs to spare, having come together with the score on 100-3.

Earlier, Brockwell also starred with the ball, returning figures of 3-35 from ten overs, as Ashbrittle posted 267-5, thanks largely to half-centuries from Andy Hill (88) and Luke Williams (69).

Wembdon elected to field first and Brockwell got an early breakthrough in the first over.

But 33 overs would pass before the second wicket came along, as the Wembdon bowlers and fielders toiled in the sweltering heat.

A partnership of 138 between Hill (88) and Dan Quick (56) for the second wicket gave Ashbrittle a great platform- and from 184- 4 with 10 overs remaining, they reached 265-8 from their 50 overs.

The Wembdon innings got off to a flying start as Dan Bingham (22) and Tom Lott (18) found the boundary regularly.

Rich Gower (30) announced himself to the crease in an explosive manner, striking six consecutive balls for four, before departing.

This brought together Brockwell and Australian Josh Marrs – and a couple of watchful overs were followed by a barrage of boundaries.

Brockwell made the most of several no balls and subsequent free hits to take 28 off one over - his innings of 84 consisted of six sixes and eight fours.

Marrs was looking less aggressive but extremely classy, stroking the ball with exquisite timing, driving and cutting.

The pair shared a stand of 152 that took Wembdon to 252 before Brockwell was well held on the boundary.

But with 14 required for victory, Marrs saw his side home in just 35.3 overs.

Wembdon 1stXI will look to take this form into next Saturday's home fixture versus Street CC (1pm).