Weston 1st XI defeated Ashcott & Shapwick by three wickets, thanks to a fine innings by Gary Morgan.

WESTON 1st XI completed a superb hard-fought victory at home to Ashcott and Shapwick side.

Weston lost the loss and the opposition elected to bat first in good conditions. Ashcott made steady progress and had reached 53 before Higgs was trapped lbw by Andy Fear.

Ashcott skipper Karmarkar was then caught a point by Gary Morgan off the bowling of Adam Davies and last week’s centurion Steve Tinnion was caught behind, gifting another wicket to Fear.

Ashcott’s opening batsman Calum Haggett reached 50 but was lbw to Sam Trego. The Weston spinners began to take control of the game and wickets then began to fall at regular intervals.

Off-spinner Trego finishing with excellent figures of 4-26 off 10 overs, Shabil Ahmed returned 3-40 and Ashley Allen bowled superbly, conceding only 11 runs from his eight overs and was unlucky not to add wickets to his economical spell as Ashcott were eventually bowled out for 162.

The Weston run chase began steadily with Simon Green and Andy Fear playing responsibly against a good bowling attack. Fear went for 16 and Green followed for a well played 32.

Wickets began to fall in the middle order and Weston, from 69-2 found themselves at 84-6. However, Morgan was still at the crease and batting sensibly and when he was joined by Sean Stringer with Weston 115-7, the game was in the balance.

Morgan anchored the innings superbly and was brilliantly supported by Stringer who played in his usual positive manner. The Ashcott attack had no answer to Morgan who eventually struck the winning runs with eight balls to spare, sparking jubilant scenes from Weston players and supporters. Morgan finished 72 not out and Stringer 28 not out.

In touch CRM man of the match went to Gary Morgan.

Ashcott & Shapwick

C Haggett lbw Trego 53

D Higgs lbw Fear 6

N Karmarkar c Morgan b Davies 13

S Tinnion c J Davidson b Fear 0

B Rudge c Morgan b Trego 3

S Savage c Stringer b Trego 22

W Spencer st J Davidson b Ahmed 15

D Rudge c&b Trego 4

J Brockwell c Morgan b Ahmed 2

J Hayman not out 4

J Haggett c Trego b Ahmed 4

Extras 36

Total 162

Bowling: S Stringer 5-0-15-0; A Davies 8-1-28-1; A Fear 7-0-35-2; S Ahmed 10-1-40-3; S Trego 10-4-26-4; A Allen 8-2-11-0

Weston

A Fear lbw J Haggett 16

S Green c&b Savage 32

G Morgan not out 72

S Trego st Tinnion b Karmarkar 1

S Ahmed c Tinnion b Savage 4

P Stringer c Spencer b Savage 0

J Davidson b Karmarkar 0

C Davidson lbw C Haggett 4

S Stringer not out 21

Extras 14

Total (7 wkts) 164

This weekend sees the first XI look to continue their winning run when they travel to Glastonbury (1pm) in WEPL Premier Two, while the seconds host their Glastonbury counterparts at Devonshire Road (1.30pm).

The thirds make the long journey to North Perrott 2nds (2pm) and the developmental 5th XI host Ashcott and Shapwick at Clarence Park (2pm).

On Sunday, the 4th XI take on ground tenants Belvedere 2nds in a league game at Clarence Park.

Both the 1st and 3rd XIs commence their Somerset Cup campaigns next Wednesday (30th). The 1sts are at home to Glastonbury (6.15pm), while the 3rd XI take on Belvedere 1sts on the East Ground (6.15pm). As always, spectators are welcomed to all games.