Somerset Disabled Cricket Club got the new season underway on Sunday with a match against local rivals Gloucestershire at Childs Lane in Ilton.

The conditions were wet and the pitch was soft.

After being put into bat, Somerset openers Nick Dean and James Mayled opened the batting and made a steady start before Mayled was dismissed by Gloucestershire’s opening bowler, Bethan Manning for three.

Manning dominated the contest as Somerset then lost five more wickets for a total of 40 runs inside the next 13 overs, before Jack Smith who made 26 and Jacob Lunn with 20 steadied the ship with a partnership of 49 runs before Smith was dismissed.

Lunn was bowled shortly after as a great spell of bowling from Charlie Bailey who mopped up the remaining three wickets as Somerset were all out for 114 all out.

With Somerset needing a good start, both opening bowlers, Cameron Smith and Jack Smith, took a wicket in their opening overs to reduce Gloucestershire to two for two.

A good rebuild between Naomi Forecast and Brandon Burger took Gloucestershire on to 34 before Naomi was stumped by Zac Webber off the bowling of James Mayled.

Gloucestershire rallied again before Nick Dean trapped Burger LBW for 27.

Somerset then applied the pressure with brilliant intensity in the field supporting tight bowling.

This led to a steady stream of Gloucestershire wickets, before they were all out for 84, Somerset winning by 30 runs.

Chard & Ilminster News:

There were impressive contributions from Jack Smith with three for 25 while both Nick Dean and Jacob Lunn took two wickets each, while Zac Webber making his debut behind the stumps took a catch and claimed two stumpings, highlighting Somerset’s all round good performance in the field.

This was an excellent start for Somerset, who won their first game in the new league.

Next up for SDCC is an away fixture against Dorset on May 19th.

This led to a steady stream of Gloucestershire wickets, leading to a Somerset win by 30 runs.

There were some impressive contributions with the ball, Jack Smith taking 3/25, Nick Dean 2/7 and Jacob Lunn 2/21.

Zac Webber behind the stumps on debut also took a catch and two stumpings, highlighting Somerset’s all round good performance in the field.

An excellent start for Somerset, who win the first game in the new league.

Their attention now turns to an away fixture against Dorset on May 19th.