SOMERSET Disabled Cricket Club are the new D40 Pursuit National Champions after beating Middlesex in the final at Corsham Cricket Club.

In a match reduced to 25 overs per side Somerset lost the toss and found themselves fielding which turned out to be very much to their liking as they produced their best fielding and bowling performance to date. The fielding was without fault, with three run outs including one direct hit from Cameron Smith, and four catches providing regular wickets.

This supported excellent bowling with James Redwood taking 2-20, Jack Smith 2-24, while Luke Tucker’s the stand out taking 3 for 14 runs as Middlesex were all out for 108 in 22.3 overs.

This may have appeared a modest total but the Middlesex opening attack accounted for both openers with 27 on the board after 10.2 overs.

However Oli Dobrijevic (27) and Zach Webber (26) then regained the momentum with several boundaries through the middle overs, but wickets continued to fall and Middlesex looked like defending the low target.

With 2.4 overs left and 22 runs still needed when Joe Hooper joined James Mayled in the middle. the pair showed no sign of pressure and worked in perfect tandem, running well to bring the required runs down to nine off the final over.

Somerset lost Mayled run out with seven still required off the final four balls. Hooper then produced two of the most timely boundaries which created bedlam among his teammates and supporters, as Somerset celebrated becoming champions, their first national trophy since 2010.

This was a hugely significant moment for Somerset Disabled Cricket Club, which has grown from nine playing members to 36 and two competitive teams.

To win this year’s D40 Pursuit competition is Somerset’s highest level of success and reward for the work put in by everyone associated with the club.