A poor batting display by Weston resulted in a two wicket defeat at Chard.

A POOR batting performance resulted in a two wicket loss for Weston away at Chard.

Batting first, Weston got off to a typically fast start with Sam Trego finding the rope freely, but following three consecutive boundaries, he went for one big shot too many and fell for 38 in the sixth over.

Shabel Ahmed followed shortly after as he edged to first slip and a stumping saw Edd Brown back in the pavilion with Weston at 55-3.

Andy Fear stood firm but with wickets tumbling he was unable to get on top of the bowling. John Davidson looked in good touch before he was run out by a direct hit, followed soon after by Rob Turner adjudged lbw sweeping.

Blamire scored a patient 10, but by this point Weston had slipped to 120-7. Fear was eventually stumped for 43 and he batted superbly with little support. Chard wrapped up the tail quickly bowling Weston out for 136.

The Chard innings got off to a poor start as Tom Main removed Glentworth in the third over, but Hayes and Wells-Burr (33) attacked the Weston bowlers as they raced to 50.

Trego removed both in quick succession before Ahmed picked up a deserved wicket to drag Weston back into the game. Fear came on and immediately removed Dalwood caught behind.

Emlyn Kuhn (22) took the game back to Chard with some lusty blows, but the reintroduction of Allen brought his wicket as well as Warren (12). Fear removed Chris Scott lbw to leave Chard eight down with 10 to win, but a responsible 13 not out from Mawdsley enabled Chard to creep over the line.

This was a spirited fielding performance from Weston, however a lack of runs proved to be critical and the entire batting line up will have to step up for Weston to continue their promotion push.

Intouch CRM man of the match went to Andy Fear for his gutsy performance with bat and ball.

WESTON

S Trego c Scott b Wyatt 38

A Fear st Warren b Mawdsley 43

S Ahmed c Dalwood b Wells-Burr 0

E Brown st Warren b Wyatt 8

C Davidson lbw Wyatt 0

J Davidson run out 0

R Turner lbw Dalwood 0

M Blamire c Warren b Scott 10

A Allen b Mawdsley 6

T Main c Mawdsley b Scott 2

A Hawkins not out 3

Extras 16

Total 136

CHARD

R Glentworth lbw Main 5

J Hayes c C Davidson b Trego 21

S Wells-Burr c Ahmed b Trego 33

J Scott lbw Ahmed 7

J Dalwood c J Davidson b Fear 16

E Kuhn c Main b Allen 22

N Warren lbw Allen 12

R Mawdsley not out 13

C Scott lbw Fear 1

G Trott not out 2

Extras 5

Total (8 wkts) 137

Bowling: T Main 9-1-31-1; A Allen 10-2-35-2; S Trego 10-2-41-2; S Ahmed 10-3-14-1; A Fear 5-0-15-2; E Brown 0.1-0-1-0.

This weekend sees the 1st XI looking to get back to winning ways and maintaining top spot in West of England Premier Two when they play host to Cheltenham (12.30pm start).

The 2nd XI travel to play Bath (1.30pm), while the 3rd XI are at home to Huntspill & District (2pm). The 4th XI travel to East Huntspill (2pm).

The Sunday League XI, boosted by this week’s win against Temple Cloud, make the journey to Whitchurch (2pm). As always, spectators are welcome at all games.