SOMERSET OVER-60s 200-7 AUSTRALIA OVER-60s 234-9
A decent-sized crowd watched a well-contested game of cricket at Withies Lane on Monday, when Midsomer Norton hosted the Somerset Over-60s versus Australia Over-60s fixture.
The temperature dipped slightly after the weekend, and Australia were first to the wicket. The tourists’ skipper, Mark Gaskell, got off to a lightning start, striking three boundaries in the first over of the 45-over match, but he was the first to depart at 32-1.
Somerset then bowled and fielded steadily to put themselves on-top, with Australia 83-5. Stands of 46 and 57 then helped put Australia in the driving seat and an unbeaten last wicket stand of 34 meant that the visitors finished on 234-9. Richardson finished on 71 not-out, and Midsomer
Norton’s Ian Locke finished with 1-41.
The Australians bowled well at the start of the Somerset innings, and four wickets had fallen for 64 runs by the end of the 21st over. Newport (41) and Fear (51) then counter attacked to give Somerset some hope of victory, but Somerset eventually fell short by 34 runs.
Midsomer Norton has hosted representative fixtures for the Somerset Women’s and Somerset Over-60s sides in recent seasons, and hosting a game involving an Australian touring side is further recognition that the club can provide a venue for quality cricket matches and teams. Club Chairman, Graeme King, thanked all those whose efforts made the day such a great success, especially Phil and Sue Mortimer, Sarah King and Nathan Groombridge.
Charlie Matthews