Somerset VICC 2025 Season Review
Report by Kathryn Jelfs-White
For the second time in Somerset VICC’s history, the T20 Cup Final was held over until April, having been washed out last September. Just like the previous occasion, we were successful and claimed our fourth cup victory! No doubt helped by being at our home ground at wonderful Wombats putting us at ease.
Before the excitement of the Cup Final, we made our way to Northamptonshire for the first league fixture with just nine players. We were hit by more illness and injury this season then we can ever remember. As you would have guessed, we could only take one batting point home with us thanks to a dogged 49 not out from Rory Hossell.
Our first league game at home saw the visit of London Metro in a double header, the rearranged T20 Cup Final being played the following day. The away team batted first and chose to declare on 222/7 after 30 overs of the maximum 40 available to them. Mikey Contreras and Rob Crisps snaffling a brace of wickets apiece. Crisp then doubled down in the chase with his 57 not out. Metro have one of the best bowling attacks in the country and some excellent fielding meant the game ended in a draw.
The Final was a nervy affair, Somerset batting first and reaching 131/7 but a phenomenal fielding display pulled it off. The game was nip and tuck with Metro being well ahead of the required rate early on but being dragged back, the game went to the final few balls and Somerset snatched the win by 5 runs. The last nail-biting over being demonstrably delivered by Adrian Snelgrove, its not usual to leave your last over to a Total but it worked a charm!
The next game was home to Surrey as the recently won trophy required defending straight away. Rory shone again with 3-11 and then a nifty 50 not out. Big brother and Captain Ed with 29 not out to take the win by 8 wickets.
Next up, eventual league and 30 Over Cup champions Sussex away. They showed their worth and had Somerset all out for 120, Ed Hossell battling away with 58 but the rest of the team falling cheaply to a dazzling display by Phil Daniels with 5-9.
Not to be deterred, home track bullies Somerset took revenge on Northamptonshire, getting them all out for just 101, the Hossells splitting seven of those wickets. A sensational six wicket win, if only every game could be played at Wombats!
The sea-saw season then it’s absolute lowest next as Metro visited again in the 30 Over Cup. They were at full strength, Somerset had wrangled in players from other teams and still only had 10, but that’s the fighting spirit, we’ll do our best to get a game on no matter what. Not a good toss to lose and Metro raced to 399/2. A daunting score to chase and Somerset fell to the miraculous bowling of Mo Ghalib who rattled off 8 for one run! A humbling day but spirits were lifted by the numerous kind words of the opposition, officials and spectators who praised the plucky home team’s efforts and good sportsmanship.
Somerset weren’t the only team to struggle with fielding a full side this year and Kent had to withdraw from the T20 Cup, giving us a bye to head to Finals Day.
August ended in disappointment with the weather claiming the away league game at Metro twice and a heavy home defeat to Sussex. Sadly the cancellation cost us dearly as the lack of opportunity to gain bonus points allowed Metro to finish just above Somerset and relegate the west country side.
The T20 Cup bookended our season but, just like last year, the rain was the only victor. It was wall to wall wet in Wolverhampton and we couldn’t even finish reduced over semi-finals unfortunately. We await a decision on when we can attempt the fixtures again, who knows, perhaps we can claim yet another title following rain delays!
