PHOTOS: Taunton rounders players hold their own against England stars

It was the day they played against England at rounders.

In recognition of the strength of rounders and the huge participation numbers in the county, Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership were awarded an international tournament featuring the full England team, the England U19 team, a SASP Taunton Allstars team and Wells City Rounders Club.

Played on the pristine cricket outfield at Taunton Vale Sports Club, the watching crowd were treated to some scintillating action as Taunton held their own in the first half against the England U19s.

Every Taunton scorer was cheered home, every catch or stumping of the opposition was greeted with a roar that almost resembled a wicket at the County Ground and whilst the U19s pulled away a little in the second innings, the Taunton players left the field with heads held high.

The second game against the full England team attracted an even bigger crowd that generated even more noise to support the team.

Whilst, as expected the local ladies were no match for their England counterparts there were individual achievements aplenty as each Taunton score or England player dismissed will be a memory to last forever.

The event concluded with a match between the England and England U19 teams which turned out to be a closer match than expected.

In the end the experience and gamecraft of the senior team overcame the energy and exuberance of their younger counterparts but it was clear that there is plenty of strength for the future in England rounders.

Taunton Allstars squad: Laura Dyke, Malvern Terrace; Claire Adam, Sam Kearley, Sophie Kneeshaw, Josie Thompson, Ruth Thompson, all Batty Birds; Jo Avinson, Kelly Winter, both All Rounders; Ellie Bentley, Lauren Lofkin, both Umpires; Rachel Swinden, Liz Thorpe, both Rule Brettania; Vicki Cornish Marty’s Mutants.