Somerset Cricket Club (St George’s won toss): St George’s beat Somerset by 16 runs

The Somerset Cricket Club wicket that had been a paradise for batsmen became a minefield, or at least was made to appear as such by Cup Match rivals St George’s and Somerset, in a low-scoring affair the visitors won by 16 runs.

Moistened by the previous day’s rain and with overcast conditions prevailing, a hitherto dead surface sprang to life, producing variable bounce and seam movement, which confounded the east end bats, and bringing into initial question captain Onias Bascome’s decision to bat first.

“The skipper won the toss and decided to back and we back his decisions,” said coach Clay Smith.

“Under the circumstances it was 50/50 and in hindsight maybe we probably should have bowled first because the wicket did do a lot and they did well, restricting us to 126.

“But the wicket played the same way the whole day, because it had a lot of moisture in it, thus we were able to counteract what they did in the second half and were able to get early wickets and come out victorious in the end.”

Indeed, early on a disaster threatened as many questions were asked of the top order, which failed to deliver adequate answers, but were consistently let off by Somerset, who dropped each of the first three batsmen at least once.

Treadwell Gibbons (12), Tomeiko Wilson (two) and Rodney Trott (eight) were each given lives, and while neither went on to register appreciable tallies, considering the slim final margin between scores, the missed chances ultimately proved vital.

Drops aside, having their opponents reeling at 27 for three, Somerset would have fancied their chances of earning a first win of the season.

Even as Bascome (41) and Macai Simmons (23) were able to steady matters with a 46-run fourth wicket stand, a four wicket collapse, where Sinclair Smith, Detroy Smith and Jonte Smith all failed to trouble the scorekeepers and Shaquille Darrell (one) only a tick, St George’s fall to 79 for seven again placed the home side in great position.

Despite a tenth wicket partnership of 21 between Isaiah Greaves (five) and Rohan Richards (16) enabling St George’s to reach 126, the final total yet appeared inadequate. Paceman Greg Maybury enjoyed his best day with the ball this season as he recorded a four wicket haul, as did captain Jordan DeSilva, with four for ten from just six overs, while Isaiah Richardson and Chris Douglas each claimed a pair of wickets.

Turning to bat the task seemed a simple one for the home side, bat sensibly for the allotted overs and a season’s first victory was assured.

However, what should have been a stroll in the park turned into a traverse of torturous terrain, that saw a steady march of batsmen to and from the pavilion.

Of the top order only Chris Douglas (21) appeared secure at the crease and once he followed skipper DeSilva (nine) back to the sidelines, leaving Somerset in tatters at 66 for five, the die was cast, with only Isaiah Richardson offering a ray of hope towards the end, with a fighting 17 while batting at number eight.

Shaquille Darrell was the pick of the St George’s bowlers, his right-arm off-cutters producing three for 29, while Rodney Trott took three for 32 and Bascome two for 14.

A disconsolate DeSilva was understandably displeased with the loss, his side’s fourth of the season and one which left them anchored at the bottom of the Premier Division.

“This was a tough loss,” said DeSilva. “It was a roller coaster type game where we dropped three catches in the first four overs, but, luckily they didn’t cost us much.

“I think that tenth wicket partnership made the difference, where they got 20 at the end.

“But this was a hard one. I’m putting this one on myself. I wasn’t able to bowl my overs out, then I got out when I thought we were on top and could took the game away from them, then one wicket turned into two, then two into three.

“We went into the field in good position to win the game and didn’t do what we needed to do.”

Considering his club’s current position DeSilva noted how a string of positive results to be critical to his club’s ability to survive in the top flight, starting with a double-header of matches next weekend.

“We’re in a position where we likely have to win out, but today was about today,” he added.

“We bowled them out for 126 and it was a game we should have been able to win.

“I don’t care about the wicket, because both teams had to bat on it and chasing 126 you’re supposed to be able to get that.”

St George’s

T Gibbons c and b Maybury 12

T Wilson n b Maybury 2

R Trott lbw b Maybury 8

*O Bascome b Maybury 41

M Simmons c Richardson b DeSilva 23

†S Smith b DeSilva 0

J Smith b DeSilva 0

D Smith b DeSilva 0

S Darrell b Douglas 1

I Greaves not out 5

R Richards c Maybury b Douglas 16

Extras (b 6, lb 1, w 11) 18

Total (28.5 overs) 126

Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-26, 3-27, 4-73, 5-73, 6-79, 7-79, 8-102, 9-105

Bowling: Maybury 8-0-43-4; I. Richardson 6-0-20-2; Douglas 8.5-0-46-2; DeSilva 6-1-10-4

Somerset

†J Eve st Smith b Bascome 9

J Albertze b Trott 13

C Douglas lbw b Darrell 21

A Richardson b Darrell 3

*J DeSilva c Smith b Smith 9

G Maybury c Bascome b Trott 9

M Hudson run out 0

I Richardson c Simmons b Darrell 17

M Fullerton c Trott b Bascome 1

A Morrissey not out 3

S Gibbons b Trott 0

Extras (lb 5, nb 1, w 19) 25

Total (28 overs) 110

Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-28, 3-35, 4-64, 5-66, 6-66, 7-86, 8-102, 9-109

Bowling: Bascome 6-1-14-2; Trott 8-0-32-3; Darrell 8-0-29-3; D. Smith 6-1-30-1

Umpires: E Carrington, S Caines