<br>credit: https://www.ppauk.com/event/Devon-CCC-v-Somerset-2nd-XI-Instow-UK-07-Apr-2019/#

Scorecard

TIM Rouse, Sam Young and Devonian Tom Lammonby all cracked half-centuries as Somerset 2ndXI eased to a 74-run win over Devon in a pre-season warm-up game at Instow.

Somerset posted 274 for six in their 50-over allocation – led from the front by openers Lammonby (59) and Young (63), who put on 126 in 25 overs for the first wicket.

Matt Thompson on his way to a half-century for Devon against Somerset 2nd XIPeter Trego was in and out for 27 of the 29 runs scored in a brisk stand with Rouse for the fourth wicket.

Rouse batted through to the end for an unbeaten 56, sharing in partnerships that totted up 124 runs. Best of the stands was one of 45 for the fifth wicket with Ben Green (25).

Devon captain Matt Thompson prioritised game time over outcomes for the first warm-up of the season and got nine bowlers on during the innings.

Dan Goodey, who has been attracting attention from Hampshire during the winter, bowled six tidy overs for 22 runs and picked up the prized wicket of Trego.

Goodey also took two catches running round the boundary – the first a full-length diving effort to account for Roelof van der Merwe.

Zak Bess was the only other Devon bowler to go for fewer than four runs an over as Somerset’s batters played their shots.

England U19 paceman Kasey Aldridge, playing for Devon but dual registered with Somerset, looked sharp in both spells of  his seven-over allotment.

Mitch Pugh (2-29) was the only Devon bowler to take more than one wicket.

Devon were two for nine at the end of three overs after losing Pugh then Liam Lewis in quick succession.

Skipper Thompson shored up one end for 28 overs to make a top score of 56 in a respectable Devon reply of 200 all out.

Kasey Aldridge - bowled well on his Devon debutSomerset sent a strong bowling side to Instow that included Dom Bess, van der Merwe and Paul Van Meekeren. Although Bess was wicketless, van Meekeren and van der Merwe picked up three wickets each to keep Devon’s middle order in check.

Devon looked to be heading for an early finish at 146 for eight with 14 overs to go, but tail-enders Josh Kings and Goodey had other plans.

King clubbed 32 not out off 34 balls – and hit Green for two sixes in the same over – while Goodey biffed a quickfire 27 off 19 balls in a stand of 53.

Paceman van Meekeren (3-35) ended the fun with two wickets in five balls to wrap-up the innings.

Devon looked a bit rusty at times, especially when they bowled, but skipper Thompson was happy to have match practice.

“Everyone had a go at their discipline and had time in the middle, which is crucial at this stage of our preparations,” said Thompson.

“We did not let Somerset get above five runs an over – perhaps our extras could have been lower –and bowled and fielded well.

“Dan Goodey bowled well, fielded well and batted well at the end and Dan Pyle took a great catch when Trego smashed one at him.

“Our openers could have done with a bit longer, but all in all it was a good work out for us.”

Devon have a second warm-up game against University of Exeter 1stXI at Sidmouth on Sunday.

Somerset 2ndXI 274-6 (S J Young 63, T A Lammonby 59, T D Rouse 56no), Devon 200 (M W Thompson 56, J V King 32; P A van Meekeren 3-35, R E van der Merwe 3-29). Somerset 2ndXI bt Devon by 74 runs.