Somerset (3)

Cornish came and went first ball to another lbw and Lenygon had five victims with the score on 78-6. The impressive Balcombe seemed above all the gremlins encountered by his other batting partners and as he went from strength to strength he lost Galpin to a catch behind by Matt Thompson off Lenygon and Willmott to a sharp stumping by Thompson off leg spinner Michael Collinge. At 104-8 in the 31st over Somerset needed someone to stay with Balcombe to put some life back into their cause. Mount (surely not a number 10) was that man, and these two advanced their side to 152-8 in the 41st over. Bowling sides out is never straightforward for the Devon lads, and Hickey returned for a couple of overs but to no avail. By now Alex Carr was operating at his more favoured end, and he was joined by Toby Ingham as they searched for a break through. Although Ingham was struggling to reach the wicket in some discomfort, the batsmen were finding Carr increasingly a handful. The seamer finally got his reward with a smart stumping by Thompson to remove Mount for 23. In the next over Balcombe duly reached a well deserved 50, but Carr had the last word trapping him lbw on the last ball of his spell.

Somerset were all out for 169 with the last 3 wickets doubling their score. Miles Lenygon took an amazing 6-25 in his nine overs and was joint man of the match for Devon with Henry Parkin. It would seem churlish to be critical after a fine 56 run victory over the “old enemy” – but the Devon lads would be the first to admit they have fielded, bowled and (for some) batted better on other days. But they have an uncanny knack of making things happen – and  watching this side, whether batting or in the field, if you take your eye off proceedings you’ll miss something.  

Many thanks to Blundell's School for helping us to stage the match and in particular to all our parents who not only provided all the food for an excellent spread but who worked tirelessly through the afternoon in keeping everyone topped up with teas, coffees etc.

                                           Home