‘A GAME of two halves’ is an oft-used sporting cliche - but Somerset’s Royal London One-Day Cup campaign has been a tale of three thirds.
They flew out of the traps with four consecutive wins, lost the next three and then sealed qualification with a victory before two thumping triumphs in the knockout games.
Here is Somerset’s story so far...
April 19 - Somerset 358-9 beat Kent 94 by 264 runs
TOM Banton’s first century for the club set the hosts on their way to a thumping win, while Craig Overton set new List A bests with bat and ball (66*, 5-18).
VICTORY: Action from Somerset's win over Kent (Pic: Alex Davidson/SCCC)
April 21 - Somerset 261-9 beat Glamorgan 259 by 2 runs
GLAMORGAN recovered from 41-6 to make this game a lot closer than it might have been... but Roelof van der Merwe took the final wicket to spark jubilant celebrations.
April 24 - Somerset 283-8 beat Sussex 62-4 by 68 runs (DLS)
HALF-CENTURIES for James Hildreth (81), Azhar Ali (68) and Lewis Gregory (50) in this rain-affected win at Hove.
April 26 - Somerset 353-9 beat Essex 154-6 by 36 runs (DLS)
PETER Trego (141) and Azhar Ali (110) laid the foundations for this triumph with a 217-run second wicket stand.
CENTURIONS: Peter Trego and Azhar Ali
April 28 - Gloucestershire 246-6 beat Somerset 242-9 by 4 wkts
SOMERSET’S winning start ended in the final over in Bristol as the auld enemy claimed the bragging rights.
May 1 - Middlesex 364-6 beat Somerset 246 by 118 runs
A DAY to forget in Radlett as the hosts emerged convincing winners.
May 5 - Hampshire 221-3 beat Somerset 216 by 7 wkts
“BORDERING on embarrassing” was Jason Kerr’s verdict after Somerset were outplayed in Taunton.
FLOORED: Somerset were well beaten by Hampshire in the group stage (Pic: Alex Davidson/SCCC)
Somerset will have to improve when the two sides meet again this weekend...
May 7 - Somerset 292-5 beat Surrey 289-9 by 5 wkts
THE Overton twins shared seven wickets before James Hildreth (93) and George Bartlett (57*) sealed Somerset’s qualification.
CELEBRATIONS: Jamie Overton against Surrey (Pic: Alex Davidson/SCCC)
May 10 (quarter-final) - Somerset 337-8 beat Worcestershire 190 by 147 runs
ANOTHER ton for Banton before Azhar Ali’s five-fer wrapped up a convincing victory at New Road.
COVER DRIVE: Tom Banton at New Road (Pic: Alain Lockyer/SCCC)
May 12 (semi-final) - Somerset 337 beat Nottinghamshire 222 by 115 runs
RUNS for Banton (59), Azhar (72) and Trego (73) led Somerset to a strong total before the bowlers sealed Somerset’s place at Lord’s.
SHOT: Peter Trego in action at Trent Bridge (Pic: Alain Lockyer/SCCC)
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