Popham stops the rot as Devon Lions fightback against Somerset Academy XI

Jack Popham - important innings for the Lions

Scorecard

SOMERSET’S academy side shaded an uninterrupted day one against the Devon Lions at Bovey Tracey.

Will Smeed top scored with 54 in Somerset’s total of 192 for nine declared.

Smeed shared a key stand of 77 for the seventh wicket with Cameron Harding (49) that got Somerset out of a spot of bother.

Matt Skeemer (3-37) had been among the wickets as Devon reduced Somerset to 91 for six.

Devon’s shot selection wasn’t great against Somerset’s pace pair Harding and Dylan Caddy. At 54 for four the omens didn’t look great.

Spinners Louie Shaw and Ned Dunning proved no easier to get away either.

Jack Popham (33no) batted through to the close with Ashley Causey and Joe Hagan-Burt to see Devon to 109 for five going into day two.

Somerset 192-9 dec (C Harding 49, W C F Smeed 54; M P Skeemer 3-37), Devon 109-5 (J R Popham 33no; L J P Shaw 2-17). Today 11am-6.30pm.