By Grockle et al
August 28 2012
Seven days and three games in seperate formats help decide the path of Somerset's 2012 domestic season. Wracked by problems in more than one area it may have all come together in this week - well almost
Game 1 v SUSSEX CC1 @ Taunton Tuesday 21 August 2012
Scorecard
A game we had to win with a side that needed bolstering by the loan of Saj Mahmoud to keep it on the pitch. That however did not take into account the rain aspect of this game and every game this season. With Alfonso out with hamstring problems, Nick out with a back injury that will end his season here, the backups of Max Waller and Craig Meschede out with niggles and the demands of the U19 World Cup taking away the Overtons and George Dockrell it is a minor miracle we can still put a mildly competitive side on the park. But compete we have to if our slim chances of being in at the race to the line for the CC1 trophy is to be realised. Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire et al will play their games and how that plays against our results will tell the tail. We simply need to win everything and draw/lose nothing!
Game 2 v HAMPSHIRE FPT20 Semi Final @ SWALEC Stadium Cardiff Saturday August 25 2012
Scorecard
The only certain chance of a trophy this year as we had made it to Finals Day for the fourth consecutive year. Batting first we came up against the right kind of bowling attack on a slow pitch and could never really get off the starting blocks. Despite a score of 80 from Craig Kieswetter, his partners could not support him and wickets fell regularly and for few runs. A score in the 120's was never going to do anything but keep Hampshire honest. They passed it and consigned us to another year without the T20 Trophy. The questions will be asked again about why Somerset keep reaching the final phases of competitions before coming up short. In previous years we have usually flattered to deceive in the early rounds and then not delivered in the finial match. This year we under-achieved early and didn't get the chance to muck up the final which Hampshire (it seems) deservedly won by 10 runs. It will be another debating point... why don't we finish the thing off properly.
Game 3 v SURREY CB40 @ Taunton Monday 27 August 2012
A weather affected one day game that never really got started and capitulated to the rain about 6 in the evening leaving us short of the points needed and out of contention for a CB40 next round game in the knock out section. It was always going to be a hard task to qualify after the first four games ended in defeat. The policy and the tactics of the 40 over comapaign has confused and puzzled a number of fans and not been really explained. Even with victories it would only have been enough if other counties had got certain results to create certain scenarios of points. without the maximum number of points that victories would have given however it is now impossible for Somerset to progress.
So the T20 grinds to a disappointing halt. The CB40 comes to its inevitable conclusion to be honest and the CC1 moves a step away from us tho the equation is really the same. All Somerset can do is win all the games left. It is what others do that will determine whether that is enough or not. The Warwickshire/Nottinghamshire double header is the main decider of the home of the 2012 title... it is looking increasingly like it WILL NOT BE Taunton.

