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Rew shines again as Somerset beat Devon
James Rew continued his excellent form with 80 from just 57 balls as Somerset beat Devon in the 50 over National County Showcase game at Bovey Tracey CC.
After a morning of frustration with persistent rain showers, play finally began at 2:15pm with a reduced 27 overs per side match.
Having lost the toss and been inserted on a pitch offering plenty of bounce, the Devon openers began well against the new ball attack of Jack Brooks and Ned Leonard. Max Finzel and Elliot Hamilton put on 74 for the first wicket before the former was caught at long-off from the bowling of Shoaib Bashir for 43.
For Somerset, it was a first look at the left-arm pace of JT Langridge, who has been added to the Metro Bank One Day Cup squad. He bowled with good pace and was rewarded with the wicket of Ben Privett, caught at mid off by Ned Leonard.
The hosts continued to find the boundary on regular occasion but it was the introduction of George Thomas that enabled Somerset to stem the flow in the middle overs. Mixing his pace well with James Rew up to the stumps, George picked up the wickets of Walker (8) and Beaumont (3) to prevent Devon accelerating as they had hoped during the death overs, despite opener Elliot Hamilton batting through the innings to score an excellent 82* from 76 balls. His 109 minute knock included six boundaries.
From a platform of 144/2 after 20.2 overs, Somerset fought back well to ensure the 200 mark was not reached. Jack Brooks came back in the death overs and executed yorkers to good effect. Devon finished their 27 over innings with 192/4.
After a traditional homemade Devonian tea kindly provided by the volunteers at Bovey Tracey CC, Somerset started the run chase in the worst possible manor, losing Andy Umeed run out (0) and Lewis Goldsworthy steering a short ball to gully (0) to leave the score 6/2. However, as so often has happened this year, it was James Rew to the rescue.
Batting with George Thomas, Rew found the boundary with ultimate ease and precision. He looked a class above from the start and reached 50 with a string of perfectly timed shots. The partnership with Thomas was worth 83 in just over 10 overs, ensuring that the required run rate never got out of control. Thomas himself struck two powerful sixes before being caught at long-off for 27.
Sean Dickson then joined Rew and also spent some good time in the middle ahead of Friday’s opener against Warwickshire, stroking 38 before picking out mid-on with Somerset well on their way to victory. It came as a surprise to all in the ground when Rew gave a catch to the leg-side boundary to depart for 80 from just 57 balls including 12 fours and one six. It was left to Ned Leonard and Josh Thomas to see Somerset to victory by 4 wickets and with a comfortable 2.4 overs remaining.
Somerset next play on Tuesday against Cornwall at Truro CC.
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE METRO BANK ONE DAY CUP
Somerset begin our Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign at home to Warwickshire on Friday August 4th.
We will be hosting a number of special events at our four home fixtures this summer. Each matchday is themed, so make sure you join us at the Cooper Associates County Ground and enjoy all the fun, both on and off the field!
