Second XI T20: Banton century sees Somerset overcome Gloucestershire
An impressive unbeaten century from Tom Banton helped Somerset overcome Gloucestershire by seven wickets in the Second XI T20 competition at Taunton Vale Sports Club today.
Banton smashed his way to 124 not out from just 67 deliveries as the home side sealed the convincing victory with 10 balls to spare.
Somerset won the toss and elected to field.
JT Langridge made an early breakthrough when Tom Cheater (4) was caught by Will Smeed in the second over with just 10 runs on the board.
The visitor’s 50 arrived after five overs but Logan Bowden fell to the opening delivery of the sixth over, and after the powerplay the scoreboard was showing 62 for two.
Joseph Eckland and Kamran Dhariwal added 32 for the third wicket before the latter was dismissed for 22 with the total on 85.
Eckland reached 50 from 22 deliveries but became Harvey Richards’ second victim when he was caught in the deep by Banton and departed for 53 at 100 for four in the 10th over.
James Matravers (32) and Ed Middleton added 72 for the fifth wicket before the former was caught by Theo Lamey off the bowling of Kian Roberts with 172 on the board in the 16th over.
172 for five soon became 183 for six when Will MacDonald bowled Max Dunne for five.
Middleton reached 50 from 26 balls and Gloucestershire reached 200 in the 19th over.
Middleton was removed by MacDonald for 59 and then Langridge took three wickets in the final over to finish with four for 29 as the visitors were dismissed for 208.
Somerset’s opening pair of Banton and Smeed8 got off to a flier and by the end of the powerplay the score was 71 without loss.
Banton reached 50 from just 27 balls8 and the Somerset 100 arrived from 48 balls.
The opening stand was worth 132 when Smeed fell for 42, trapped lbw by Ahmed Syed in the 11th over.
Banton continued to hit out and went to triple figures from just 52 balls.
Lamey departed for 11 at 172 for two in the 15th over but the runs continued to flow and the Somerset 200 arrived after 17 overs.
Kian Roberts departed with just six runs required but Banton and Oscar Coleman saw their side over the line.
Somerset have named the following side for the match:Â Tom Banton, Will Smeed, Bertie Michael, Ben Church, Theo Lamey, Oscar Coleman, Kian Roberts, Zach Vukusic, JT Langridge, Will MacDonald and Harvey
Richards.
Entry to Taunton Vale Sports Club is free but there is a charge for parking.
