v Somerset RLODC at Trent Bridge

After a highly entertaining day in front 2917 people, Notts and Somerset tied their Pelican Cup fixture. Notts will be more happy of the two teams after scoring an under par score. But a fine bowling effort meant that Notts shared the spoils.

Trescothick won the toss and inserted Notts. Hales (23) set off like a train hitting his first three deliveries off Lewis Gregory for four, but perished in fourth over edging the wily Thomas to keeper Barrow, 27 for 1. Lumb (7) then edged Groenewald to the safe hands of Trescothick at second slip. Three balls later Taylor played a poor shot off Gregory as Trescothick took another catch at slip, 42 for three in the 9^th. Notts had lost too many early wickets and this would handicap them somewhat for the rest of the innings. Patel was dropped before he had scored although it was very difficult chance that Trescothick spilled.

Patel and Wessels attacked and Wessels hit former Bear/Sheep Groenewald for two sixes. Craig Overton replaced him and struck straight away when Samit hit the ball to mid on. Patel out for a 64-ball 46. Ninety runs had been added for the fourth wicket in 18 overs. Three overs later Wessels (44) was bowled by Trego, 142 for five in the 30^th over.

With a long tail, Read and Franklin had to put their heads down, only 27 runs were added in the batting power play. Seventy one runs were added in 13 overs when Read drove Groenewald to mid off  for 48-ball 42. Mullaney (8)  only lasted nine balls before holing out. Fletcher (3) followed the same way Gregory again the bowler. Franklin had to rein in his attacking instincts and played a patient knock being unbeaten on a 66-ball 59; an innings which included five fours. Notts closed on 261 for 8, a total 30 or so under par. Gregory finished with three for 64.

Experienced pair Trescothick (61) and Compton (68) added 125 runs for the first wicket in 25 overs to seemingly take the game away from Notts.  The canny Mullaney was bowling well from the Radcliffe Road End and had Trescothick caught at short fine leg by Fletcher. Ball then took wickets in successive balls of the 29^thover.  Trego (2) fell to a fine running catch by Lumb in front of the members and with the batsman having crossed Compton was plumb leg before, Somerset 136 for three. Hildreth and left-hander Colin Ingram consolidated against Patel and Mullaney as the run rate slowed. Then came the power play as 40 runs were added in five overs as Somerset were still favourites.  Hildreth (27) was yorked by The Metronome in the 43^rd over as Somerset now required 59 runs in 45 balls, even stevens. Ingram (50) was batting well but then the returning Gurney bowled him through the block hole, 229 for five. Craig Overton then became another bowled victim for Gurney, 233 for six with 21 balls left. Unlike Notts, Somerset bat deep but the next over young stumper Barrow was torpedoed by Ball, clean bowled for four. There were two overs left and 18 required when Gregory was caught by Ball at short third man off Gurney. The big hitting Groenewald then hit Gurney for six into the Fox Road and Somerset were now favourites with seven needed off the final over.

Fletcher though held his nerve in the final over with his famed Yorkers coming to the fore. With Somerset requiring two runs off the last ball the fielders came in to save the single Read donned the helmet, Groenewald scrambled home for the single and the match was tied. Somerset 261 for eight. Notts had bowled well under pressure and deserve great credit for fighting back so strongly especially with the visitors 125 for nought at one stage. Mullaney once again was outstandingly economical his 10 overs costing 32 runs. Gurney and Ball both took 3 wickets.  The jam-packed fixture continues with a floodlight game in Cardiff tomorrow. MAG