Having finished in the league in a position to enter the Vase competition Somerset Over 60s 2s have now won their semi-final and are preparing for the Vase final against Worcestershire on Tuesday 5^th September at Stroud CC.

The semi-final was a close game, as befitting a contest between last season’s Cup and Sussex 2nds who won the Vase, which went to the final over.  Playing at Fernhurst CC, skipper Miles Richards won the toss and elected to field on one of the occasional sunny days.  Openers Ali Barr and Hugh Brooker got us off to a strong start with 52 without loss off the first 10 overs but three quick wickets set us back.  David Noyes was joined by the skipper in rebuilding the innings and they put on 84 before Miles (30) fell on his sword attempting to up the run rate.  David Noyes continued with the new batters and eventually fell for an beautifully timed 60 from 68 balls as the innings drew to a close, and some swishing took Somerset to 200 for 8 off their allotted 45 overs.  Not a commanding score but one that would need a careful chase.

Sussex set off at a similar pace to Somerset and were 42 for 0 off 8 when their first wicket fell with the introduction of slow bowling.  The following 10 overs saw spinners Edwin Morris and Dave Wilcox in tandem, tightening the noose by only conceding 16 runs while taking 2 wickets.  Drinks saw the game finely poised and while Morris completed his spell (9-3-15-1) bowlers were rotated from the other end as the required rate run increased.  Much credit has to go to the skipper’s astute field placing and sound ground fielding throughout the side.  With 15 over to go it was above 6 an over and the introduction of Brooker and the return of Wilcox sealed the game.  Wilcox removed both set batters within 3 balls and his partner earning a smart stumping by Edward Martin.  With two overs to go Sussex needed 23 and the two bowling tyros saw the innings to a close and a victory by 10 runs: Brooker finishing with 8-0-42-3 and Wilcox the excellent return of 9-3-30-4.