Somerset Cricket Club (St George’s won toss): St George’s beat Somerset by one run

Luke Horan was the toast of St George’s after a sensational Colts Cup Match performance that ripped victory from the grasp of host club Somerset on Sunday.

With eight wickets in hand, Dalin Richardson looking imperious on 127, and only 20 runs required, the only question for the challengers was how many more overs would be needed to complete a proper drubbing.

But Horan, 15, who will be appearing as a reserve in the Annual Classic for the second year in a row, had other plans in a stunning sequence of six wickets for no runs from 14 balls that has no rival in the history of Colts Cup Match.

The Warwick all-rounder, who has attempted to convert to an off spinner this season, turned to seam in his fifth spell and was unplayable.

Seizing on the opening provided by captain Q’Shai Darrell, who claimed Richardson caught and bowled after being smashed for three sixes earlier in the over, Horan marched on through, taking six of the final seven wickets to finish with figures of seven for 39 from 15 overs.

Darrell was expensive in taking two for 71 from 11, but the wicket of Richardson, the Southampton Rangers captain who led Somerset to victory in 2018, was priceless.

Richardson had put on 126 for the third wicket with captain Dominic Sabir, seemingly having taken the game away from the visiting side. He hit nine sixes and ten fours in an innings that grew in confidence the longer he was at the wicket.

Sabir played the supporting role, but then perished for 28, bowled by Horan when looking to force the pace.

With both senior batters back in the hutch, a previously forlorn St George’s smelled blood — and the rest was left to gun-barrel-straight Horan, whose victims were either bowled or leg-before.

Darrell earlier led the St George’s batting effort with 73 before playing an airy shot that was typical of so many of his team-mates in an innings that lasted only into the 41st over.

Opener Dean Simons made 55 before he was smartly stumped by the impressive Ajani Lee off Sabir, while Cup Match colts Jarryd Richardson and Marcus Scotland flattered to deceive with 18 and 11 respectively.

Proctor (two for 35), Sharye Tavares (two for 33), Darrien Gibbons (two for 33) and leg break-googly bowler Jamie MacFarlane (two for 40) were the pick of the Somerset bowlers.

With so much time left in the match, a total of 221 on a decent track — the same as will be used for Cup Match — looked a little lightweight and the home side justified that sentiment for the longest while.

Until the Luke Horan Show came to town and broke Somerset hearts.

NOTE: The Royal Gazette apologises to St George’s Cricket Club and Somerset Cricket Club for the lateness of this report after the assigned reporter became incapacitated and was unable to file. In particular, we apologise to the 22 young men, reserves and coaching staffs who contributed to a quite stunning contest that their seniors will do well to match on Thursday and Friday