Saturday saw the conclusion of the 2024 cricket season and for one last time this season Wembdon 1stXI were hosting, North Petherton were the visitors.

Back to back defeats had meant the chance of promotion had gone.  Wembdon were playing for pride but victory would secure the runners up spot.

Wembdon won the toss and elected to bowl first.  Pope returned to the side after two weeks and he took the new ball along with the skipper Brockwell.

Only one run came from the opening two overs with a handful of boundaries following from Lott and House.

By the 8th over Pope got the breakthrough removing Lott for 17 but Wembdon had to be patient with another 10 overs passing before a second victim would fall.

The hot prospect Gregory along with House took Petherton past 50 but Pope responded removing House for 16 in his penultimate over.

With Pope bowled out (2-19) it was time for the spin of De Zoysa and Everett.  This introduction also saw a flurry of wickets as North Petherton went from 73 for 2 to 96 for 7.  Five wickets tumbling for just 23 runs.  This included the wicket of L Gregory for 24 caught behind with only Bassett offering some resistance.

Everett the pick of the bowlers with 3 maidens and 4 for 28 narrowly missed out on a chance for a 5 wicket haul.

North Petherton lower order did fight back with F Gregory striking 29 moving his side onto 133 while Bassett who would finish 22 not out and Syvester 11 managed to get North Petherton to a competitive 174.  Brockwell returned to take the final wicket with the final ball of the 49th over with Baker claiming 1 and Lowe getting a rare outing with the ball also claiming 1.

After tea Will Bere removed Anning without scoring.  Wembdon found themselves 2 down in the 7th over with fellow opener Everett having made 19 being caught off F Gregory bowling.

Incoming batter Love after a very watchful start would go on to strike a series of boundaries releasing some early pressure.

In the space of 2 overs Wembdon lost both De Zoysa and Brockwell and at 47 for 4 Wembdon were in a spot of bother.

New man in was Puddy and he and Love had better ideas.  In the space of 6 overs they doubled Wembdons total bringing up the century.  The pair struck 18 boundaries between them in a destructive spell.

Having added 54 runs for the 5th wicket, Love departed given out LBW on 49.

Puddy continued and he took Wembdon to within 5 runs of victory along with J Lowe who himself added 21 the partnership worth 64, the largest of the day by either team.

Unfortunately Puddy fell for 45 just shy of a deserved half century leaving Lowe and Baker to claim victory for Wembdon in the 26th over.

A strong finish to the campaign, runners up confirmed.  Congratulations to Taunton CC and thank you to our scorers, match officials, tea ladies and to all who turn out to support us at home and away.