With Somerset over 60’s 1st XI not having fixture this week, so it was down to 60’s  2nd XI and 70’s XI to fly the flag writes Adrian Proctor 

On Tuesday 14th May, 2nd XI travelled to Newton Abbott to face Devon at South Devon CC. Devon batted first and gave Somerset a great start, with their number 1 out for a single. Solid bowling held the scoring rate in check, with only three batsmen getting a ‘start’, but with the best of these (G. Keen) being 45, nobody was able to go on to a telling score. The wickets were shared between the five bowlers used, the pick of these being Glyn Flinders with 3 for 26 from his 9 overs. The final score was 151 for 8 in their 45 overs.

Somerset’s reply was challenged by steady bowling and with no batsman able to dominate in the same way as had happened in Devon’s innings. Top score was Neil Johnson’s 36 and the target was reached by an unbroken partnership between Julian Harvey and Steve Pursey (26 and 29  respectively). A key difference was the discipline of the bowling, with Somerset conceding only 3 wides and a total of 8 extras, whilst Devon conceded 11 wides and a total of 23 extras. The final score;  Somerset 155 for 4.

On Wednesday 15th May, 70’s XI played Worcestershire at Wembdon CC.

As with 2nd XI, the opposition batted first and the quality of the Somerset bowling never allowed them to get going. Only one batsman got a ‘start’ (J. Barnes – 25) and the wickets were shared between 6 of the 7 bowlers used, with Colin Brunt’s 3 for 16 off 8 overs and Dave Foster’s 2 for 15 off 7 overs leading the way. Worcestershire’s total of 114 all out did not look to be good enough, but the game can bite back, so nobody was assuming a foregone conclusion.

Somerset’s reply continued the tone however, with Steve Chaudoir (39) putting on 65 for the first wicket with Nigel Manley, who was unbeaten on 54 at the close as Somerset posted 118 for 2 off only 22 overs and 3 balls.

A resounding win, showing great promise for the coming season.