Weston returned to winning ways with a comfortable victory over Shapwick & Polden.

A FOURTH half century from Andy Fear guided Weston to a successful run chase at home to Shapwick & Polden.

Winning the toss, Weston bowled first and got off to the perfect start as Ahmed caught Edmunds at second slip off Sean Stringer.

Willoughby at the other end was causing problems beating the bat consistently, but without luck. Tinnion and Luckins showed determination to see off the opening pair and put on 72 for the second wicket to put Shapwick in front.

Tinnion smashed several boundaries on his way to 42 before Chris Davidson had him caught at midwicket. Haggett soon found a leading edge to give Davidson (2-48) his second wicket and in the same over James King ran out Luckins for a defiant 23.

Fear was unlucky not to pick up a wicket in his spell but the introduction of spin turned the game on its head.

Sam Goodhew accounted for Ben Rudge (18) before Shabel Ahmed clean bowled Dan Rudge and Wayne Spencer in successive deliveries. A big lbw appeal almost brought Ahmed (3-24) a hat-trick but he made up for it the next ball, trapping Lang in front.

Goodhew (2-26) picked up another thanks to a good catch from Luke Morgan to see Sam Spencer removed. Shapwick had fallen from 135-5 to 145-9. Some lusty blows from Tom Diamond (33 not out) helped Shapwick reach 186.

Ahmed changed the game with his three wicket over and Charl Willoughby bowled eight luckless overs for a miserly nine runs.

King and Fear continued their excellent form and took Weston to 47 at the 10-over mark. King played the more aggressive role punishing anything loose, while Fear accumulated at the other end.

After getting Weston to halfway, King was stumped for 47. He has now scored 191 in the last three games since taking on the openers role and his form has been key to two successful run chases.

Ahmed joined Fear and the pair took Weston past 100. Fear looked set and he cleared the ropes twice as he reached another half century. However, he fell soon after skying a ball from Spencer which was well caught by Edmunds.

Shabel Ahmed continued ticking the score over and looked in fine form until he edged behind for 27. Rob Turner’s 17 not out saw Weston home with eight overs to spare, despite the Davidson’s falling before the end.

The Forte Financial man of the match was Shabel Ahmed.

The win jumped Weston up to fifth place in the league. Just 19 points separate Weston inn fifth and next week’s visitors to Devonshire Road, Chard in ninth.

SHAPWICK & POLDEN

S Tinnion c Turner b C Davidson 41

S Edmunds c Ahmed b Stringer 1

J Luckins run out 23

J Haggett c Willoughby b C Davidson 12

B Rudge c King b Goodhew 18

D Rudge b Ahmed 11

S Spencer c Howson b Goodhew 10

W Spencer b Ahmed 0

P Lang lbw Ahmed 0

T Diamond not out 33

M Higgs not out 4

Extras 33

Total (9 wkts) 186

Bowling: C Willoughby 8-3-9-0; S Stringer 10-3-31-1; A Fear 10-0-37-0; C Davidson 10-0-48-2; S Ahmed 7-2-24-3; S Goodhew 5-0-26-2.

WESTON

J King st Lang b Spencer 47

A Fear c Edmunds b Spencer 59

S Ahmed c Lang b Haggett 27

R Turner not out 17

J Davidson c Lang b Haggett 2

C Davidson lbw Haggett 4

J Howson not out 1

Extras 33

Total (5 wkts) 190