Played 6                                       Won 2         Lost 4

v AVON at Brislington. Won by 8 wickets.

TEXACO TROPHY

THE 1992 SQUAD
D. Edwards (Capt), T. Kennedy (Vice-Captain), N. Atkinson, J. Dean, T. Dunkerley, D. Forrester, N. Heale, M. Hugill, M. Humphries, D. Hyatt,0. Le Fleming, L. Morgan, J. Purdey, G. Sewell, N. Stephens, N. White.

In a most enjoyable series of matches the side, under the outstanding leadership of Daniel Edwards, played with totally the right attitude and developed in a most encouraging way. The inability to lift the scoring rate at crucial times was the main reason that more success was not achieved.

The season started with a comfortable win against Avon, Nick Heale scoring an excellent 82 not out. We were well beaten, however, by a useful Warwickshire side, where our scoring rate deficiencies first surfaced.

We started the Texaco with a long trip to Corsham where we bowled and fielded well to restrict Wiltshire to 161, with Hugill returning excellent figures. At twenty overs we were well on target but, following an unfortunate run-out, lost our way and batted only 41 of our overs.

We comprehensively beat Cornwall at Plymouth where we batted first and with Nick Heale and Guy Sewell putting on 94 for the first wicket were somewhat disappointed by the final score. Our bowlers then set about Cornwall who were at one time 47 for 7. The pace attack of Le Fleming, Stephens and Hugill was proving to be the great strength of the side, backed by keen fielding and good support bowling from Tom Dunkerley and off-spinner Tom Kennedy.

We were heavily beaten by eventual group winners Dorset on a perfect summer afternoon at Sandford. We won the toss and struggled to reach 143 despite a very well-made 43 from Vice-Captain Tom Kennedy. Dorset then gave an excellent example of attacking batsmanship and showed why they were worthy group winners.

In our final game we reached 154 for 3 but failed to give our more attacking batsmen enough time at the crease after Lewis Morgan and Guy Sewell had put on a solid 74 in 29 overs. We believed we were 40 runs short but thanks to some superb bowling and fielding Somerset only reached their target in the forty-ninth over.

I do not think I could have started my management with a better group of players who were such excellent ambassadors for the County. The hospitality at all the grounds was first class, but a special thank you goes to Blundells School, Exmouth, Plymouth and Sandford Cricket Clubs, the splendid tea ladies, impartial umpires and the scorer.