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Second XI T20: Somerset qualify for Finals Day
Somerset Second XI qualified for Finals Day after two victories over Northamptonshire at Taunton Vale Sports Club today (Wednesday June 5th).
Somerset remain unbeaten in the competition and have qualified for the showpiece event at Wormsley on July 16th.
MATCH ONE
Somerset maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign thanks to a four-run win in this low scoring encounter.
Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Somerset slipped to 26 for three but 33 from Andy Umeed gave the innings something to build from. However, wickets continued to fall regularly and the hosts were eventually dismissed for 126 in 18.3 overs.
Michael Finan was the pick of the bowlers, claiming four for 24 from 3.3 overs.
The Somerset bowlers were equally impressive, reducing the visitors to 36 for four in the 10th over.
44 from 30 balls from Butt gave Northants hope, however Somerset wrapped up the win in a dramatic final over as the visitors were all out for 122 with just four balls to spare.
Sonny Baker claimed the eighth wicket with the final ball of the 19th over, meaning that Northants needed five runs from six balls with two wickets in hand.
However, Kasey Aldridge only needed two balls to wrap up the visitor’s innings as Somerset claimed a dramatic vicory.
Sonny and Kasey both claimed three for 12.
MATCH TWO
Somerset made it two out of two on the day courtesy of this five wicket win.
Northants won the toss and elected to bat.
The visitors had reached 30 without loss by the end of the six-over powerplay and by the time both openers were back in the dressing room, the score was 63 for two in the 11th over.
Jack Leach then claimed two wickets in two balls in the 13th over to reduce Northants to 83 for four in the 13th over.
Justin Broad top scored with 41 from 34 balls as Northants finished on 140 for seven from their allotted overs.
Leach was the pick of the bowlers with three for 20.
Somerset openers James Rew and George Thomas shared a first wicket stand of 75 from 7.5 overs to break the back of the run chase.
Thomas went on to make 58 from 34 balls as Somerset reached their target with 22 balls to spare.
Somerset Second XI Coach, Greg Kennis named the following squad for the matches: Jack Leach, George Thomas, Andy Umeed, James Rew, Tom Lammonby, Josh Thomas, Kasey Aldridge, Josh Davey, Ned Leonard, Sonny Baker, Alfie Ogborne and Shoaib Bashir.
Supporters are reminded that there is now a charge for parking at Taunton Vale Sports Club.
