Second XI Championship: Somerset win on day three
Somerset take on Middlesex in the Second XI Championship at Taunton Vale Sports Club this week.
DAY THREE
MATCH CENTRE
Somerset resumed on 44 for two on the third day of this match, requiring 276 further runs for victory.
The score had reached 106 when James Rew departed for 26, bowled by Thilan Walallawita, but Jack Leach and Thomas Rew ensured that no more wickets fell in the opening session.
When lunch arrived, Somerset had advanced to 165 for three.
After the break, Leach reached his hundred from 155 balls and shared a partnership of 166 with Thomas Rew before falling for 104 at 222 for four.
Rew and Josh Thomas (48) then added 84 for the fifth wicket as they took the score to 306.
Rew finished unbeaten on 85 as Somerset reached their total with five wickets to spare.
DAY TWO
Somerset resumed on 136 for five, trailing by 56 runs.
Kasey Aldridge was only able to add one additional run to his overnight tally, and although Migael Pretorius made 40, Somerset were dismissed for 189, giving Middlesex a first innings advantage of just three runs.
Mark Stoneman and Sam Robson shared a solid opening stand for the visitors as they reached lunch at 64 without loss, a lead of 67.
After the interval, six runs had been added when Stoneman was bowled by Ned Leonard for 43. Leonard then trapped Fernandes lbw for 0 just two balls later.
However, Robson went on to make 88 before he was bowled by Alfie Ogborne as Middlesex reached tea at 213 for five, a lead of 216.
In the evening session only six runs had been added when Toby Roland-Jones became Leonard’s third victim. Isbell fell in the next over without further addition to the total and when Andy Umeed took two wickets the visitors were 306 for nine.
Thilan Walallawita (46) was the last batter to fall with the scoreboard showing 316.
Tom Lammonby and Umeed fell early and Somerset finished the day on 44 for two, needing 276 more runs to win.
DAY ONE
Somerset won the toss and elected to bowl.
Alfie Ogborne claimed two early wickets to remove Mark Stoneman and Sam Robson as the visitors slipped to 28 for two.
Nathan Fernandes and James Isbell then took the score to 67 before the former was caught behind off Sonny Baker for 22. Vaansh Jani then fell in similar fashion to Kasey Aldridge at 79 for four.
By lunch, Middlesex had reached 90 without further loss.
After the break the score advanced to 142 before Isbell was caught by Andy Umeed off the bowling of Migael Pretorius for 41.
142 for five soon became 156 for eight as Pretorius claimed three wickets in 14 balls, but Robbie White continued to frustrate the home attack. He eventually fell to Aldridge for 63, and when Ishaan Kaushal was caught and bowled by Tom Lammonby, Middlesex were all out for 192.
After tea, Somerset’s reply saw the hosts slip to 43 for four, but Josh Thomas (30) and Aldridge (42 not out) ensured that their side finished the day on 136 for five.
Second XI Coach, Greg Kennis has named the following squad for the match: Tom Lammonby, Andy Umeed, George Thomas, James Rew, Migael Pretorius, Thomas Rew, Josh Thomas, Kasey Aldridge, Ned Leonard, Sonny Baker, Alfie Ogborne and Jack Leach.
Supporters are reminded that there is a charge for parking at Taunton Vale Sports Club