On a hot and humid day Somerset Disabled CC took on Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation S9 Performance team at Taunton Deane Cricket Club.

 

The game started with Gloucestershire winning the toss and electing to Bowl first with the cloud cover consistent and the humidity high.

 

Jack Milton (1), captain for the day, opened the batting but was caught behind by Matt Bermingham. Jon Tucker next in managed to get the score moving with James Mayled (17) , before James was caught and bowled by Sam Britton (3-30).  With the experienced Jon Tucker still standing strong he was joined in the middle by the explosive Josh Pritchard.    Josh, finishing on 33 from 21 balls including six 4s, was removed by Ben Wentworth (2-21). The score board sitting at 79-3 Gloucestershire did not let up, quickly removing the incoming James Redwood with the next ball, yet again the hands of Matt Bermingham did not fail in catching behind the stumps.

 

George Fox-Reid (4) came to the middle to continue to work with the controlled Jon Tucker, who was still keeping the score board moving. Some strong defensive shots and straight drives from George brought the score up to 109 before he was bowled by Zak Gardener (1-9). Colin Hancock entered next but was caught behind for a duck by Matt Bermingham off Henry Polley (1-14).

The score sitting at 114-6 and Somerset dug deep with Paul Lewis (10 not out) joining Jon in the middle the score board ticked on to 131. Jon was then caught by Christopher Bermingham off Sam Britton as he tried to continue pushing for the runs needed to set a strong target. Seb Meko (2 not out) now joined Paul in the middle. Gloucestershire now returned with their opening bowlers in an attempt to remove the tail of Somerset but with the Jack Milton running for Seb and James Mayled for Paul, some quick singles and resilience from both batters the Somerset innings finished on 151-7.

 

Somerset’s bowling attack began strong with James Mayled (2-7) removing Ben Wentworth (6) LBW. Sam Britton came out into the middle to join Paul Sealy (2) but James Redwood (2-17) removed Paul Sealy LBW shortly after and the score was now 17-2. Brandon Burger came out to the middle joining Sam, who was then removed by James Mayled for 0.

Brandon Burger chopped onto his off stump with a perfectly pitched ball from James Redwood and the score was now 21-4, the pair in the middle of David Smart and Matthew Bermingham (16) tried to stabilise the Gloucestershire innings but some quick hands from George Fox-Reid behind the stumps taking a great catch off of Jack Milton (3-10) removed Matthew.

With the next ball Christopher Bermingham was removed with Colin Hancock taking strong catch as Christopher tried to get off the mark.

Jack continued his spell of removing batters and with the score now at 57, Zak Gardener was bowled by Jack to complete his 3 wicket hall.

This brought Colin Hancock into the attack with the pace of Josh Pritchard (1-21) at the other end.  Liara Hampton was bowled by Josh shortly after arriving in the middle.

James Bermingham and Dave Smart now both trying to push the score board on, it was  down to the direct bowling of Colin to take the final wicket of the day, bowling James and Gloucestershire finishing on 69 all out.