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Second XI T20: Defeat for Somerset at Taunton Vale
Somerset’s defence of the Second XI T20 title began with a six-run defeat against Worcestershire at Taunton Vale Sports Club today.
Somerset won the toss and elected to bowl.
JT Langridge made early inroads into the visitor’s line up when he claimed two wickets in his second over, the third of the match.
Ismail Mohammed was bowled for two off the fourth delivery before Ed Pollock was dismissed courtesy of a slip catch from Kasey Aldridge just two balls later.
By the end of the powerplay, Worcestershire had advanced to 39 for two.
The score had moved to 44 thanks to a 34-run partnership between Seth Essenhigh (10) and Henry Cullen but that came to an end when the former was caught by Josh Thomas off the bowling of Kasey Aldridge.
At the 10-over mark the scoreboard was displaying 75 for three.
Four additional runs had been added to the total when Cullen fell for 38 from 22 balls, caught by James Theedom off Lewis Goldsworthy.
Tom Hinley and Fateh Singh took the visitors past the 100-mark but both were dismissed soon after, and when Henry Hawes was lbw to Thomas Worcestershire were 114 for seven in the 15th over.
The visitors eventually finished on 151 for nine from their allotted overs. Langridge was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three for 19.
Somerset lost Andy Umeed early on, but Will Smeed and Josh Thomas brought up the Somerset 50 in the seventh over and their 50 partnership arrived from 42 balls.
The second wicket stand was eventually worth 64. Thomas was the batter to fall, bowled by Hinley for 31 at 75 for two in the 10th.
The Somerset 100 arrived in the 13th over but three wickets fell for just one run in the space of six balls. Fin Hill (23) was bowled by Ben Gibbon, Smeed fell for 40 and when Thomas Rew was dismissed for one, Somerset were 114 for five in the 16th over.
Goldsworthy was out for three and with three overs to go, Somerset still needed 23 runs.
Aldridge was lbw to Singh for seven at 134 for seven and Somerset still required 17 from the last two overs.
Unfortunately, the home side lost two further wickets and could only reach 145 for nine.
Somerset have named the following squad: Andy Umeed, Will Smeed, Josh Thomas, Fin Hill, Thomas Rew, Lewis Goldsworthy, Kasey Aldridge, Kian Roberts, Ben Church, JT Langridge and James Theedom.
Spectators are reminded that there is a charge for parking at Taunton Vale Sports Centre.
