his team to an innings victory in Cup Match on turf wickets.

But neither Somerset nor the Wellington Oval pitch would cooperate! Somerset began the second day facing a heavy defeat with a 187-run deficit on first innings. But on a wicket that was easier for batting than the first day, Somerset showed more determination and frustrated the St. George's bowlers for the better part of six overs as they held on for a deserved draw.

"To have a 180-run lead we thought it would take us to at least up to 4.30, 5.00 o'clock to bowl them out,'' said Bascome afterwards.

"That's why I was juggling around the bowlers, trying to see if I could buy a wicket. But we couldn't do so because of the concentration in batting that Somerset displayed.'' Bascome admitted he didn't realise an innings victory has never been recorded on turf wickets which were introduced in 1971. The last victory by that margin came in 1967 when St. George's won by an innings and 20 runs on a concrete wicket with matting at Somerset.

"I didn't realise it but at the same time that's what I was looking for,'' said Bascome of the elusive result. He defends his game plan.

"The strategy was all right, it's just unfortunate we couldn't pick up a wicket from the other bowlers,'' the captain explained.

Despite having to settle for a draw, after a match saving century partnership between Dexter Basden and Albert Steede, Bascome says he enjoyed the experience of his first captaincy.

"Special thanks to all the senior players who gave me some assistance on the field and my heart opens to the team who rallied behind me and gave me 150 per cent,'' said Bascome, whose seven wickets for the match matched his wicket haul in his debut year in 1997.

"I would love to skipper the team again if I have the opportunity to.'' It was a match of milestones with Somerset captain Albert Steede becoming the fourth highest run scorer in Cup Match history when his 62 runs in the match took him past 800 runs. He moved ahead of both Noel Gibbons and Alma (Champ) Hunt.

Charlie Marshall, while missing out on a first century since 1980, became the newest member of the `700 Club' with his first innings 95 which takes him to 745 aggregate runs and seventh overall.

Somerset Richard Basden passed 500 runs while older brother Dexter had his highest score in Cup Match, beating his previous best of 70. He has also now scored more than 400 runs (443), which moves him ahead of the likes of Nigel (Chopper) Hazel, Dennis Wainwright and Winton (Timmy) Edwards.

Somerset won their second `safe hands' award for best fielder when colt Curtis Jackson was voted top fielder. His running catch on the boundary to dismiss Lionel Cann was one of the best catches of the match alongwith the one taken by St. George's reserve O.J. Pitcher to dismiss Albert Steede yesterday.