Somerset remain in the hunt for a Metro Bank quarter-final after easing to a four-wicket run win over the Kent Spitfires at Canterbury.
Tom Lammonby hit 102, from 104 balls, as the visitors closed on 270 for six, in reply to Kent’s 269 for nine.
Jack Leach took 2 for 37, including both Denlys in the space of three balls. Jaydn Denly, batting for only the second time with his Uncle Joe, was Kent’s highest scorer with 65 and the duo put on 97 for the second wicket.
Denly Junior then took two for 41 but Somerset never really looked in danger and they clinched the win with 5.3 overs to spare.
Kent’s chances of qualifying for the quarter-final were almost non-existent, but a very healthy Bank Holiday crowd of 2500 still attended the club’s Community Day.
The hosts chose to bat but lost Ben Dawkins when Jake Ball had him caught behind for just five. The Denlys fought back but both went to Leach in the space of three balls.
Uncle Joe was the first to go for 39, caught by Lammonby off his former England team mate Jack Leach, and Jaydn was almost immediately caught and bowled.
Jack Leaning and Harry Finch responded with the next highest partnership of the innings, putting on 54 before Leaning went for 19 when he lofted Lewis Goldsworthy to Thomas Rew.
Finch was the run out by James Theedom and Ben Green for 48 with a half-century there for the taking and debutant Ollie Curtiss went for just one, caught by Leach off Lammonby.
Corey Flintoff gave Kent something to defend with a run-a-ball 28 down the order and Fred Klaassen hit successive sixes in the final over, but an inexperienced Spitfires side looked second-favourites at halfway.
Somerset eased to 62 without loss before Mo Rizvi bowled Archie Vaughan for 28.
Jaydn Denly gave Kent a glimpse when he caught and bowled Lewis Goldsworthy for 43 and Cohen conjured a beauty to get rid of James Rew for 16, but Lammonby creamed Cohen through point for four to reach three figures.
Although Cohen subsequently bent back Lammonby’s leg and middle stumps, by then Somerset only needed 67 from 14.4 overs.
Thomas Rew holed out to Jayden Denly for 29 and was caught by Cohen and Josh Thomas played like a man in a hurry blasting two sixes on his way to 24 before he pulled Klaassen to Flintoff, but with just 12 needed at that stage Fin Hill and Ben Green were able to bide their time before the latter hit Jaydn Denly back over his head for four to level the scores. The winning single came when Green skied the same bowler and Ekansh Singh spilled a difficult chance.
Somerset’s Tom Lammonby said: “It was one of the better wickets we’ve played on. I think we bowled really well in the first half to restrict them to 269. They started well but all in all it was a really good game. I think they way we chased that down is testament to the group and he batters we have. There was a little wobble at the end but overall it was very pleasing.
“I think that’s the thing with 50 over cricket. You don’t feel there’s any jeopardy and then you lose a couple of wickets and the run rate starts climbing and then all of a sudden there’s a bit more pressure but I think that’s why it’s quite an exciting format to watch because it feels like you almost playing three games in one, which is really cool.
“But I think the assuredness and the calmness of the group, you know, little partnerships here and there really helps us just ease up that finishing line.
“I think that’s the beauty of this tournament, lots of players you might not have seen before and lots of talent round the counties that haven’t played a lot of cricket before, everyone gets a lot of opportunities and experience so it’s been really good to see. The batting depth in the young Kent line up was what stood out for me today.
“I think (frustration at not seeing it over the line) is exactly the nail on the had. They’re the sort of times you really want to cash in and get a big score so yeah, I’ll probably look quite harshly at that tonight but at the same time I’m quite pleased with how I played getting up to that point. It’s just about being a bit more ruthless towards the end and getting the boys over the line.”
Kent’s Michael Cohen said: “We were a bit off the pace, credit to Somerset, they played well, they were really restrictive with the ball. I admired our determination, we kind of stuck at it the whole time which is admirable. I appreciate those things.
“Ollie Curtiss came back from a long-term injury so I have a soft spot for him, I’ve been around him quite a bit so it was a really privilege to be on the field with him.
(On the young players)
“They’re making me feel a little bit old! They’re such great talents and I think Kent are in a really fortunate position to have such great talent coming through.
“It was awesome, the atmosphere was great, the ground really comes to life when you’ve got supporters who are vocal. It stayed full to the end and it was great to see.
“I think we’ll carry on trying, carry on giving it all and that’s all we can ask really. I loved it (playing at Canterbury for the first time.) Obviously not the losing but I love playing cricket in whatever format it is. I didn’t play cricket to sit on the sidelines so it was just great to be out there and great to try and give my all.”
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