Perrott exit cup after brave battle to avoid Nelson curse

NORTH Perrott were the victims of the Nelson curse as they exited the National Village Cup on Sunday.

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Visiting Congresbury on Sunday in the final of the Somerset & Avon Group, Perrott were bowled out for the famed 111 in 32 and a half overs before Congresbury managed to secure a three-wicket success.

Put into bat, Perrott got off to a difficult start as they slumped to 36-5 and 72-8 before ultimately being dismissed in under-par fashion. Freddie Wolfenden (39) was the sole batter to pass 20, and the only contribution to beat the 35 extras conceded by Congresbury.

In fairness to Perrott, they did their best to defend their total as Congresbury went from 38-2 to 39-4 thanks to Sam Rowswell’s 3-23. Ronnie Frost (2-33), Krishnan Subramanian (1-20) and Wolfenden (1-15) also managed to take a wickets as Perrott more than kept themselves in the game at 72-7, however Congresbury’s eighth-wicket partnership stood strong to get them over the line in the 31st over.

■IN the West of England Premier League, which, like many across the region, was heavily affected by the weather on Saturday, Perrott’s early title hopes in the Somerset Division were dented slightly by leaders Temple Cloud being one of two sides to complete and win their game at the weekend.

Temple Cloud’s maximum 20-point haul proved 14 more than Perrott who managed just 17.2 overs against local rivals Ilminster. Unsurprisingly put into bat, Perrott struggled to 49-7 as Rowswell (11) and Wolfenden (12) were the only batters to reach double figures.

Michael Reynolds did the most damage with 4-40 from his eight overs, while Charlie Vickery (2-9) and Toby Pattermore (1-0) also took wickets to help Ilminster earn nine points.

Yeovil remain two points behind Perrott in third after they too took six points from their clash with visiting Taunton Deane. In 19 overs, Yeovil reached 54-3 after being invited to bat.

Opener Matthew Shorto stood firm with an unbeaten 27 from a patient 63 balls as he lost partners around him until the weather finally had the last word.