Match Report - 1 May
Somerset won the toss and put Wales into bat on a green top which looked ideally suited to the Somerset seam attack.
The home side struck early when Tony Scott ran out opener Ricketts for just 3 with the score on 15.
The other opener Herbert was joined by Aswani and they pushed the score on to 37 before Herbert was caught out by Andy Fussell off the bowling of new man Malcolm Pressly-Smith.
Just five runs later and more success for the home side as Donovan was caught behind for 5.
42 for 3 and Somerset in the driving seat.
However Aswani and John Jones steadied the Welsh ship and began a partnership that would prove decisive. Adding 79 runs, this pair propelled the visitors to 121 before the next wicket fell. Jones caught by Frome stalwart Hamblin for a useful 34.
From this point on, Aswani took over and proceeded to play shots all-round the wicket passing 50 and then 100 losing just one partner during this explosive 20 over burst.
Aswani finished on 102 not out with a useful contribution of 18 not out from Murphy as the visitors compiled 201 for 5 off their allotted 40 overs.
The pick of the Somerset bowlers were Terry Clarke with 1 for 18 off his 8 overs and Andy Fussell with 2-43 off his 8.
A decent score on a wicket with some pace and bounce, but nothing to frighten the home side unduly.
The Somerset reply started well with Poulton and Brooker passing 50 for the first wicket. Brooker was the first to go for 25 and 19 runs later Poulton joined him in the pavilion when he was stumped off the bowling of Steven Jones for 28.
Somerset who were well up with the run rate then began to struggle somewhat as the Welsh bowlers tightened their grip.
Harvey and Strong added just 5 before Strong was LBW to Murphy for 2. Andy Fussell was next in but still runs were hard to find as the clouds blew in and rain threatened.
Fussell went for 11 and with Harvey next out with the score on 114 things looked bleak for the home side.
Graddon went for the long handle and did hit a couple boundaries ably supported by Brislington’s Tony Scott, but the run rate had climbed to over 8 an over and with the Welsh quicks back on time ran out.
After a brief stoppage for rain and hail, Clarke and Hamblin had one last spirited dash but came up 25 runs short with Somerset finishing on 177 for 7 off their 40 overs.
Murphy and Jones both took 2 wickets a piece and in truth the Welsh bowlers just had a little more control than Somerset could cope with on a wicket producing good seam movement.
Man of the match was Arvind Aswani with his match winning 102 not out. A great effort on a day suited to rugby rather than cricket.
Match Report - 4 May
Somerset Over 50’s B V Wiltshire (Friendly)
Kilmington and Stourton
Somerset Over 50’s B crossed the border into Wiltshire for a pre-season friendly at Kilmington and Stourton’s picturesque ground adjoining Stourhead House.
Somerset batting first on a very flat wicket got off to a good start with openers White and Barr adding 46 for the first wicket before Barr was bizarrely run out for 16 after getting stuck outside his crease unable to turn round to get back into his ground.
In at number 3 was Hugh Brooker a man in good early season form.
White and Brooker moved the score on well against some tight Wiltshire bowling before White was caught out for 39 with the score on 91.
Brooker was joined by Richard Ford and together they took control of the game with a superb stand of 116.
Brooker in particular continued his fine form with 97 off just 85 deliveries before he was caught behind off the bowling of Brazington.
Ford continued making hay and finished with 52 not out at a run a ball with Somerset totalling 227 for 4 off their 40 overs.
The Wiltshire bowlers did well to contain Brooker and Ford throughout their hundred run stand with Brazington picking up 3 for 60 off his 8 overs and Footner 2 for 20 off 8.
Wiltshire set 5.6 an over started badly with opener Clark bowled by a one that kept a little low from Thomas. 16 for 1.
Gaunt and number three Baden then repaired the damage adding 65 for the second wicket before Thomas struck again, this time bowling Gaunt off a thick inside edge for a valuable 29.
Wiltshire were just about up with the rate as Roynon joined Baden at the wicket. This pair added 50 for the third wicket before Roynon departed caught by stand in keeper Chris Golding off Andy Roberts for 20. This was a noteworthy dismissal as Golding clung on to an edge while standing up to the stumps.
A fourth wicket fell quickly as the dangerous Beale went for just 2, LBW to Burle.
At this point Somerset were well in the hunt as the required rate had risen to 7 an over. However with Bathe joining Baden at the wicket Wiltshire began to take control once more.
Baden finally departed for a useful 58 off just 64 deliveries with the score on 158 for 5. Again Somerset looked to be back in with a chance as the home side still required 70 off the last ten overs..
However with Hunter joining Bathe at the wicket the game went decisively the way of Wiltshire as this pair added 69 in quick time. Hunter in particular was very severe on anything off line and stroked his way to 33 off just 38 deliveries with the target in sight.
Hunter tried to finish it in one go with the scores level and 4 balls to go but was stumped by Golding off Giles White.
Wiltshire weren’t to be denied though and with two balls remaining Mildenhall pulled Giles through square leg for the winning boundary.
A win for Wiltshire by 4 wickets with one ball to spare.
The Somerset bowlers worked hard but too many wides cost them somewhat in the final reckoning. Wiltshire bowled just 6 while Somerset managed 28…
Thomas and Roberts both picked up two wickets each for Somerset.
Match Report - 11 May
Gloucester O 50’s B V Somerset O 50’s B
Hatherleigh & Reddings CC
Somerset travelled to deepest Gloucestershire for their first Southern Counties fixture of 2017.
The journey home was long and filled with sadness as Somerset were put to the sword by the home side in a crushing 135 run defeat.
Batting first, Gloucester piled on the runs from ball one with opener Tony Clarkson particularly strong early one. Somerset did take a couple of wickets as Rob Sharp was caught out by Andy Roberts off the bowling of Dave Barton for 11, and Huge Leek went for 24 before he was caught by Steve Pigden off the bowling of Lodway’s Clive Stitfall .
However this just opened the flood gates further as the impressive Clarkson was joined by Gloucester captain Tim Smith. This pair really got to work and flayed the bowling to all parts in a run fest of Olympic proportions, Clarkson finally out for 84 when LBW to Everton Griffith.
Smith continued the onslaught with new partner Febrey and again the Somerset bowlers were chasing leather. Febrey smashed his way to a whirlwind 50 off just 32 balls before he was dismissed by Andy Roberts, Ali Barr holding on to a catch in the deep.
Smith lazed his way to a magnificent hundred before retiring on 102 in the final over. Smith’s innings took just 62 balls and was the highlight of the game.
When the dust had settled Somerset had conceded a monstrous 375 for 5 off the allotted 45 overs.
All the bowlers suffered terribly, Dave Barton with 1 for 50 off 9 being the least embarrassed.
The Somerset reply was actually quite decent with Ali Barr leading the way with a well constructed 59 and Hugh Brooker once again showing good form with his 95 not out.
However, with an asking rate of 8 an over the target was never one that the visitors were going to reach despite giving it their best shot.
Useful cameos from Mike Caddick (22) and Andy Roberts (23) pushed the visitors up to 240 for 5 at the close, which is in itself not a bad score.
The pick of the Gloucester bowlers was Ahmed with 2 for 50 off 8 overs.
Somerset must refocus for their trip to Panteg, Wales on the 25th May. There is a long way to go in the season, and a win over the Principality would be a welcome boost to moral.
Skipper Chris Golding has a full strength side available and the home support will be looking for an instant response to this humbling visit north of the border.
