MINEHEAD suffered a second successive home defeat on Saturday when they lost to Wellington by 72 runs.

After winning the toss for the first time this season, skipper Andrew Stevens opted to put the visitors in to bat and opening bowlers Jay Darrell and Harry Tudball (0-38) went in search of an early breakthrough.

However, several dropped catches in the opening exchanges meant Minehead had to wait until the score had reached 62 before the first wicket fell, that of K Hine for 37 off the bowling of Ellis Taylor (1-65).

A Campbell remained watchful as he was joined first by R Davies (30) and then T Trott (34) before falling himself to the spin of Charlie Tudball (1-5) for 42 just after drinks.

B Evett was then joined first by his captain L Desave (25) and then M Bray (27) as they looked to build on the positive start made by their colleagues.

Further dropped catches were fatal for Minehead as Evett made them pay with some innovative shots before finally being caught for 47 off the bowling of Darrell (3-58) as the Wellington innings ended on 281-9 after their 50 overs.

The Minehead reply got off to a start all too familiar this season, with wickets falling early and often.

First to go was Stevens for seven as he was unfortunately caught down the leg side, then fellow opener Dan Godfrey was caught at slip for 14, both off the bowling of Desave (2-38).

Liam Muggeridge (18) and Braden Taylor (17) attempted to steady the ship, striking six boundaries between them before both were dismissed in quick succession by J Beal (2-45).

Dan Bowditch set about launching a counter attack and, aided by Darrell, had taken the score past the 100 mark before the latter was caught at mid-off for 17.

Greg Howard (4) was next out, to be replaced by Charlie Tudball as he and Bowditch looked to take the attack to the visiting bowlers.

The pair had motored to their 50 partnership and Bowditch his own milestone before being bowled by the spin of Campbell (3-57) for 66 with the score on 199-7 with eight runs an over still needed.

Tudball reached 44 before being run out in search of a quick single and when Harry Tudball was caught at cover for a duck the innings closed on 209, 72 runs short of victory.

Minehead moved off bottom spot thanks to eight bonus points but now face a tough trip to unbeaten league leaders North Perrott tomorrow (Saturday).