Despite making a strong start at Wembdon, Uphill Castle fell short by 78 runs.

UPHILL Castle 1st XI travelled to promotion-chasing Wembdon and despite a strong start, could not capitalise, losing by 78 runs.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat with the first few overs seeing a flurry of boundaries and wickets.

Markus Bail, opening the bowling, was struck for early boundaries by opener Tom Lott and Rich Gower before he trapped Dan Bingham lbw to claim his and Uphill’s first wicket.

Bail continued to rip through the top order after Gower was then adjudged lbw before Lott was bowled for 16.

Wickets continued to fall as George Cox (4-41) bowled Joshua Marrs and had Karl Trunks smartly caught by Krish Kumar for 11 as Wembdon slipped to 39-5.

Jonathan Brockwell was then joined at the crease by Billy Vickery and the pair saw Wembdon approach 200 before Vickery was caught down the leg side by Gareth Williams off the bowling of Luke Bliss (1-41) for a well-made 54.

The remaining wickets fell quickly after Brockwell was caught and bowled by Mitch Fox (2-37) for 81 and Wembdon finished on 222 all out.

The Uphill reply started slowly with David Millard striking early boundaries before Williams was bowled by Will Pope (4-23). Pope continued to cut through the Castle top order, claiming three more wickets.

After Millard was bowled for 38, Cox (45) led a counter attack supported by Bail (16) as he looked to guide Uphill to an improbable victory, but further wickets fell as Uphill slipped to 144 all out.

THE seconds recorded their third straight league victory with a 44 run victory over Huntspill and District.

Uphill won the toss and batted first and after losing a early wicket, Mark Hodder (55) and Tom Oultram (86) put on over 150 for the second wicket and this allowed the later batsman to play their shots, with Ian Tasker (35 not out) and George Chapman (20 not out), taking the score to 233-4.

Huntspill got off to a steady start before Pete Jobling (2-45) and Andy Leech (1-31) got Uphill back in the game. Tom Llewellyn finished with figures of 2-25, well supported by Brad Patch and Chapman (1-44).

The Huntspill middle order started making some big hits and a close finish looked likely, but skipper Andy Llewellyn claimed 4-15 and Huntspill were bowled out for 189 in the 44th over and maximum points for castle.

Autosmart man of match was Tom Oultram.