By Grockle
August 5 2003

Jamie Cox takes the captaincy and a young side to 283 as he smacks 130 off the Middlesex attack. We then put paid to them for just over 200 and get our second victory of the past week! We called correct and chose to bat. The side is all that's left - Johnson is injured (Gilder is in) Burns is out, Cox captains and Hildreth gets a game. Laraman is out so Gareth Andrew comes in - youth youth youth - this'll be interesting!

Cox looks in excellent form and he produces the lion's share of the 50 up in 8.1 with Buzz providing 31. Poor opposition bowling with Dawes going for 17 in the 5th -loads a wides!

It's 63 at 10.3 when Gazzard is very well run out for 19 by Andy Strauss. In comes Dutchy at number three! But it doesn't last long as he hits one hard and DOWN. It bounces up into Dalrymple's hand - he claims the catch and after discussion the umpires give it 63 for 2. In comes KP.

Cox hits 50 glorious (47 balls 9 fours) runs as we go to 98 in the 17th and he then adds another four to take us to 100.

The 50 partnership comes up in less than 8 overs and they've added 23 more by the 20th over but there are black clouds over the town.

150 in the 26th, a spot of rain but nothing special Buzz on 85 and KP on 38. 300 on? Well only if this partnership stays together into the high 30's. But it doesn't as Keith swipes at Bloomfield and is caught behind - in comes Blackwell at number 4. 152 for 3 but the game is now in a crucial stage and could go any way.

On comes Dalrymple and either Blackwell will go for him or lose it. Gentle ball huge hook, easy catch, poor shot selection and 172 for 4. In comes James Hildreth lumbered by an 'ex England spinner'.

But maybe he isn't because he doesn't seem phased as he smacks 2 fours and a huge six in his first 18. He helps his captain to 3 figures (198 for 4 - 99 balls and 13 fours) in the 35th. 200 up in the same over.

Hildreth does his job, hits 28 and gets Coxey moving again. He goes at 220 after adding a large amount of the 48 partnership. In comes Wes Durston.

Jamie realises he needs to motor and starts to alternate boundaries with broken bats, four, new bat, six, new bat, four. It's 240 with 5 to go.

Buzz goes big at 42.2 and leaves with 130 to his name caught Shah off Bloomfield. 260 for 6 (his biggest Somerset one day score). Wes is going great guns and in comes Nixon as the lightening flickers and the thunder cracks! Nixon belts it and Shah gets another 262 for 7. Gareth Andrew is next.

Wes pushes the score along but is bowled for 30 at the start of the 45th. In comes Jonah and down comes the rain. Last ball, 279, Jonah smacks it for 4 and marches off with 283 on the board. Good score, good support for Cox from the youngsters. It's a defendable score but we need tight bowling ....and it is raining!

Nixon starts with 'Gazza Glitter' (as Mr T calls him). They find it hard as McLean steams in and Gilder tries to make up for his 'mare' at Northants. Something works because Strauss snicks one to KP who pulls off a spinning catch and we have our first. Gilder then pulls off a maiden.

Then it's his turn. He tempts Weekes to try and hit him out of the attack...straight to Andrew - 14 for 2 in the 5th.

1 for 15 for Gilder before Jonah comes on at the River end in the 9th at 33 for 2. He goes for 8 off his first two balls. Weston throws the bat at everything and it all comes off as Steffan goes for 18 and they pass 50. Two legitimate shots and lots of thrashing.

Nixon re-establishes things with only a single. Jonah brings it back with a four run over and then Nixon gets Weston caught behind 60 for 3 in the 12th.

Jonah isn't firing though and his first three go for 34. We look to Blackwell at the Old Pavilion to get it back together as Nixon takes a break at over 14.

Buzz persists with Jones and is rewarded with his best over so far and Blackie is tight at the other end. Shah looks dangerous but he hits it into Dutch's hands and Jonah exchanges goodbyes with him as he leaves - 92 for 4 off 17.2.

Dutch is on at the River in the 19th. We were 112 for 2 and D/L expects them to be 35 ahead of their 98. The 100 arrives and it's 101 for 4 at 20. Now we need the 'press', make them work for everything should be the message - Somerset give absolutely nothing away should be the rule that other sides learn.

Gazzard then pulls off a good piece of keeping on 'Nelson'. Nash tries to ‘flicksweep’ and Gazz moves sideways and snaffles the ball - excellent.

At 129 with 25 gone it is still close but we're still ahead. 7.7 for 20 overs is not easy for anyone. But Joyce is getting settled and Cox brings Gilder back at the OP to give them something to think about.

The 150 arrives in the 28th and we need a wicket, preferably Joyce. The 50 partnership arrives with the 30th. The rate is still rising but it is gettable with Joyce reaching 50(52 balls and 5 fours) and Somerset keeping faith in Dutch at one end.

Dalrymple hits and Hildreth throws himself under it and sort of 'bodies' it! Everyone moves towards him and it's 180 for 6. Hutton joins Joyce. Buzz brings Blackwell back at the OP (why?). Gazzard catches Joyce 34.2 for 59. At 190 for 7 it swings back to us.

Hutton goes up the wicket and Gazz stumps him - 191 for 8. Dawes looks really at home with spin (not)! Dutch gets him LBW for 2 - 194 for 9. They need 90 off 9.

Jonah returns at the River for the expected coup de gras. They take it over 200. He doesn't do it so Nixon returns at the other end. Up it goes, down it comes, KP has it...no he hasn't but Jonah bowls Cook and...we've got another one! Durham was OK but this was a good one with the youngsters doing the business. SATISFYING!!