DESPITE Watchet's Martin Strong scoring a half century and taking five wickets it wasn't enough to take them to a victory and in the end they had to hang on to gain a draw to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Wedmore batted first and Watchet's inability to make an early break through cost them dearly as later on Wedmore opened up with some success.

Tony Blackburn top scored for them with a half century, backed well by S Chard and D Hatch, who both got into the forties. Wedmore's final total of 195 from their 45 overs was only restricted by fine bowling by Martin Strong, who took five wickets for the second time this season, and a couple of fine boundary catches from Dave Milton.

Watchet lost an early wicket through a run out, but Martin Strong then came in and scored his third half century in five innings, but once he was dismissed Watchet's hopes of a victory diminished.

It was left to Andy Milton and Simon Virgin to make sure Watchet avoided a defeat against a side near the top of the table with Milton hitting five boundaries in the last two overs to put Watchet on a respectable 150-8 at the close.

Wedmore: 195-6 (T Blackburn 50, S Chards 47 no, D Hatch 41, M Strong 5-47).

Watchet: 150-8 (M Strong 53, A Milton 24 no, P Nicholls 3-16).

Points: Wedmore 17, Watchet 9.