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Latest from the Pathway
The continuing good weather has seen a lot of cricket being played by Somerset Pathway teams, and there have once again been some impressive individual performances.
With the bat, there were three centuries recorded. Ben Church made 164 for the Under 18 Boys, and in the same match Ben Mason hit an unbeaten 126. Theo Lamey also scored 100 for the Under 16s against Wales.
Harvey Richards was the standout bowler, claiming five for 34 for the Under 16s in their match against Hampshire.
The Under 18 Boys started their week off with a semi-final match against Middlesex in the ECB One Day Cup. Middlesex posted 278 for nine from their 50 overs, Joe Heywood claiming four for 41.
In reply, Fin Hill (41) and Seb Linnitt (42) put on 84 for the first wicket. Thomas Rew (38) and Kian Roberts (53 retired) shared a third wicket stand of 69. Church then made 37 and Ben Mason hit 32 but Somerset fell just short on 270 for seven.
The Under 18s also played a three-day game against Worcestershire at Taunton Vale. The visitors chose to bat first and scored 468 for eight declared. Roberts was the pick of the bowlers with three for 72.
Somerset made 588 for seven in reply, Church contributing 164 off 236 balls with 19 fours and one six. Roberts hit 71 off 127 balls with 10 fours and Linnitt made 50 off 83 balls with eight fours, while Mason remained unbeaten 126 off 97 balls with 11 fours and a six, sharing an unbroken eighth wicket stand of 175 runs with Rishabah Shimpi, who was not out 88 from 112 deliveries with nine fours.
In their second innings, the visitors had reached 173 for two as the game ended in a draw.
The Girls Under 18s hosted their counterparts from Wales at Cleeve CC. After being asked to bat first, the visitors were dismissed for 149 in 42.3 overs. Evie Dixon took three for 29 while Anu Balasubramaniam claimed two for 27.
When Somerset replied Laila Moldena made 26 at the top of the order before Megan Driskel hit 55 off 70 balls with six fours and helped to add 54 for the sixth with with Mia Maguire who ended unbeaten on 23 as they reached 151 for six in the 32nd over.
The Under 16 Boys also played two games, the first of which was in the ECB County Cup at Taunton School. After choosing to bat, the hosts made 236 all out in 48.4 overs, Hanson Martin top scored with 54 , whilst Shimpi made 41, Thomas Watson 33 while Jago Barclay hit 32.
When Hampshire responded they were all out for 129 in 35.1 overs. Left arm spinner Richards finished with the impressive figures of five for 34 from his 10 overs, four of which were maidens, while Barclay ended with three for 25 off eight, with three maidens.
Wales were the next opponents in the One Day Cup. Somerset were asked to bat and Lamey made exactly 100 from 111 balls with 10 fours and a six. He added 89 for the first wicket with Hanson Martin who hit 26. Somerset eventually ended on 198 for nine from their 50 overs.
In reply, Wales reached 200 for four in 44 overs, Toby Harris and William Hughes both claiming two wickets.
The Under 14 Boys travelled to Ivybridge CC to face Devon. After being put in, Somerset posted 235 for nine from their 50 overs. Lucca Gregory scored 43 and Harvey Coleman made 32, the pair adding 54 for the fourth wicket. Jack Blackwell hit 50 off 52 deliveries and put on 46 for the seventh wicket with Lewis Townsend and then shared an eighth wicket stand of 56 with James Baker who scored 26.
When Devon replied they were bowled out for 193 in 39.4 overs. Townsend took three for 21 while both Gregory and Baker claimed two each.
