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Cup Final disappointment for U18s
A five-wicket haul for James Theedom, his second in as many matches, wasn’t quite enough to see Somerset Under 18s to victory over Warwickshire in the ECB County Cup Final that took place at Kibworth CC.
After being asked to bat first, the Warwickshire openers added 52 before Blaise Baker accounted for Oliver Dandy for 24, shortly after which Theedom claimed the first of his five victims.
A fourth wicket partnership of 40 between Amir Khan and George Maddy took Warwickshire onto 129 before Archie Vaughan removed Khan leg before wicket for 46. However, Maddy remained at the crease and shared in several partnerships before he was the ninth batter out, caught by Vaughan off Ollie Heard for 77 off 92 balls by which time he had helped his side to 256.
Six runs later Theedom removed the last man and Warwickshire were all out for 262 in 48.4 overs.
Theedom ended with the impressive figures of five for 46 from his 9.4 overs, while Vaughan claimed two for 33 from his 10.
When Somerset replied they lost Seb Linnitt with one on the board, after which Josh Thomas came to the wicket and made 13 before he was out with the total on 26.
Kian Roberts joined Thomas Rew and together the pair added 30 for the third wicket when the new batter was out for 11. When Rew fell for 30 Somerset were 60 for four.
Jay Terry then joined Vaughan and the fifth wicket pair took the total onto 99 when the all-rounder was out for 17. Terry, who made a double century against the same opponents recently, then helped to take the total onto 187, which included adding 50 with Aman Rao before he was eighth batter out, having made 75 from 82 balls with nine fours and a six.
Rao went on to make 27 at almost a run a ball before he was out while Theedom ended not out on 10 as Somerset were dismissed for 214 in 47.4 overs.
Whilst this was a slightly disappointing way to end what has been a successful season, nine of those involved will be available to play for the Somerset Under 18s age group next season.
