National County T20: Somerset come out on top
A Somerset XI claimed a dramatic two run win over Devon in a National County T20 fixture at Exmouth CC today.
Set 175 to win, a 53-run eighth wicket stand between Matt Whalley (26*) and Charlie Ward (27*) took Devon to within a whisker of victory, but it was Somerset who came out on top.
Somerset won the toss and elected to bat.
The visitors lost two wickets in the opening over when Theo Lamey (0) was caught and bowled by James Matravers off the second ball of the match. The Devon seamer then bowled Kian Roberts (0) with his fifth delivery.
Fin Hill (35) and Bertie Michael got the innings back on track with a 65-run stand for the third wicket.
Michael (83 not out from 58 deliveries) then shared partnerships of 44 with Oscar Coleman (18) and 64 with Zach Vukusic (28 not out off 15) as Somerset posted a total of 174 for four.
Chasing 175 for victory, Devon lost Gabe Gallman-Findlay in the opening over when he was bowled by JT Langridge.
Ben Privett and Seb Linnitt took the score to 42 before the former fell to Jenson John for 21.
Matravers (18) and Linnitt (28) then fell in quick succession to leave the hosts on 74 for four.
Callum Harvey added a useful 28 but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Devon required 10 off the final over, but Matt Thedom held his nerve as Somerset claimed the victory.
