St George’s were facing the follow-on and spectre of an innings defeat at lunch on day two of Cup Match.
The break arrived with Somerset in firm command, thanks to a spectacular farewell batting performance by veteran Malachi Jones and a tragic batting collapse from St George’s.
Before a stadium now having a full complement of accoutrements, Jones reached back into his prime, calling forth one last burst of brutality, which he reined down upon a St George’s attack, already softened and weary from many fruitless hours spent in the field.
As has been his custom, Jones eschewed caution for indifference, disregarding risk as he launched a full-on bombardment, unloading a full arsenal of power strokes against whomever captain Sinclair Smith threw at him.
After engaging in a half-century eighth-wicket partnership with Jermal Proctor (41), who became the third batsman to depart in the 40s, Jones did likewise with Derrick Brangman (10) for the ninth.
Nevertheless, a deserved century eluded Jones, as the mercurial talent was left stranded on 79 when last man, Kwasi James, edged Kevon Fubler into the hands of wicketkeeper Smith.
Set a sizeable target of 391 to chase _ and a draw the most realistic outcome- St George’s openers Nzari Paynter and Jonte Smith were focused in their approach, aware of the follow-on threat but not overburdened.
After a slow initial period, Smith began to cut loose, while Paynter supported.
The pair steadily moved the score along to 37, before Paynter had a rush of blood against Derrick Brangman, perhaps the worst scenario. Caught between attack and defence, Paynter did neither, lobbing a pop-up to mid-off, where Tre Manders juggled the chance, but had captain Terryn Fray complete the catch.
Delray Rawlins, in at No 3, came in and immediately offered the simplest return catch from the second ball faced against Brangman, but was inexplicably dropped by the left-arm spinner.
Rawlins seemed to settle after the gaffe, but such was the calm before Brangman triggered disaster, redeeming his miss by having the left-hander caught behind by Zerai Tomlinson for 20 and following three balls later with the wicket of Onias Bascome without scoring.
Stovell joined the party accounting for Jonte Smith, caught at long-on by Dominic Sabir and the collapse accelerated.
Isaiah O’Brien lasted just two balls before he was caught and bowled by Stovell, leaving St George’s at reeling at 75 for five.
Anxious to find lunch, St George’s discovered further heartbreak, as captain Sinclair Smith became Stovell’s third victim, trapped lbw.
Colt Keegan Jones was greeted by an umbrella field setting with four catchers close to the bat, but was able to survive the early tension, scoring his first Cup Match run off Stovell, but such would be a faded glimmer on a dreary morning.
Simmons (8), after standing firm as an anchor, became Stovell’s fourth victim _ and the third to depart without scoring _ when he was adjudged lbw by Andy Cumberbatch.
By the time Jones’ inexperience was exploited and he was bowled by Brangman on the stroke of lunch St George’s were90 for 8, and facing having to bat a second time for their survival.
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