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Spin twins Arron and Lakshan sink Frome

· unknown author · 2026-08-16T15:34:52+00:00 · nguồn gốc

WELLINGTON are up to second in the Somerset Division of the West of England Premier Cricket League after gaining a 94-run home win over Frome, writes David Derrick. Playing on as dry, dusty and cracked surface as you could ever wish to see following five heat waves this summer, Frome chose to bowl first on winning the toss - a decision that came as a surprise to some viewers. However, when Wellington found themselves at 12-2, maybe the long distance visitors to the Lloyd and Whyte Cricket Ground knew something that others were not privy to. The Red and Blacks boat was righted through a third wicket stand between Oz O'Livey and Lakshan Edirisinghe who boosted the score to 62-3 courtesy of O'Livey's watchful 16 in 32 balls, with one four and another classy half-century from Edirisinghe who eventually made exactly 50 in 66 balls with eight fours. When Sam Whitefield was out for 39 with the score at 151, Oli Beale, back from his travels, offered 14 in 19 balls with two fours, Toby Stirzaker with his 15 in 23 balls with two boundaries, Ben Evett with nine in 22 balls, Nathan Yarde with 18 not out made in 20 balls with two fours too and finally Andy Hurry with eight not out in 16 balls got Wellington to a final total of 206-9 in 50 overs. This was against a backdrop of Frome's solid bowling effort that saw Lavender lead the attack with 3-40 in ten overs, supported by 2-30 in ten overs by Watts. Looking at the surface on offer to support Wellington's bowling efforts it was clear that spin was the key and so Arron Campbell's off spin was employed first up as this tactic worked early on as opener Welch edged behind to Jacob Hurry to make Frome 1-1. The efforts with the bat of Dredge, D. Corbett and Padgett that were worth 21, 41 and 35, respectively lifted the visiting side's score to 76-4 made in a flurry of boundaries, but also a flurry of wickets as Frome collapsed from 76-4 to a sorry 112 all out in just 27.3 overs with Arron Campbell taking a fine 3-26 in ten overs; this was complemented by Lakshan Edirisinghe's 4-21 in eight overs and with Toby Stirzaker and Oli Beale chipping in with a wicket each. The Somerset League winners from the 2025 season were well beaten and remain in eighth place with two games to go. Wellington collected twenty points for the ninth time this season and face Wembdon away on Saturday, 22nd August, and complete their season at home to Chard on Saturday, 29th August; both of these sides won the games when they met Wellington back in June, but recent form for both is mixed at best bordering on the poor and so Wellington will hope for wins ten and eleven of 2026 having been recorded by month end. Meanwhile, Ilminster won the top of the table clash against Yeovil, beating their rivals by six runs to virtually make sure of finishing as champions. Wellington's youngsters just edged out in Vase tie Wellington's youngsters just edged out in Vase tie Ashbrittle clinch title with win over Crowcombe Ashbrittle clinch title with win over Crowcombe Wellington squeeze home by five shots Wellington squeeze home by five shots Away start for champions Jolly Blues Away start for champions Jolly Blues With two matches remaining, the South Somerset side are 36 points ahead of Wellington who are themselves ten points clear of third-placed Temple Cloud. Yeovil are a further point adrift in fourth spot.