At Wellington Oval: Somerset 404 St George’s 219 & 245/6 (Match drawn)
Somerset maintained their more than a decade long dominance of the Cup Match Classic, as the two teams battled to a one-sided ‘winning’ draw that allowed the cup’s retention.
Much will be remembered, on the positive side, of Dion Stovell’s historic, second consecutive century scored on the first day, the maiden half century from a recalled Steven Bremar and the five-wicket first innings haul by Derrick Brangman.
The story for the home team was of disappointment in having another opportunity go begging with not so much as a sniff at threatening the machine-like, Somerset juggernaut, who dominated from start to finish.
The champions made St George’s appear a dysfunctional bunch, despite the inclusion of English professional Delray Rawlins and pre-game promises that they could mount a serious challenge.
At tea St George’s were forced to follow on still 185 runs behind Somerset’s 404 run first innings score.
The east enders reached their first innings total largely on the back of Delray Rawlins’ high team score of 78, while Allan Douglas was second high with 35.
Neither contribution was enough to carry St George’s to a position that would make Somerset bat again, as major damage had been done earlier.
Brangman was marvelous with his left-arm leg breaks, taking 5 for 48 to trigger the collapse.
The second innings saw Macai Simmons score a half century after coming in at 3 for 1, while Rawlins notched a second 50-plus score. Simmons ended up scoring 54 and Rawlins rode some big hitting to 73, but St George’s at the end, the boundary fireworks were shallow dressing to failure, as they appeared no closer to their goal as they have been since 2011 and may, in fact they may be farther away.
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