ENGLAND and Somerset cricket star Jack Leach was special guest at the Harry Burden Memorial Luncheon, the main fundraising event of the Tony Coles Charitable Trust, which provides grants to cricket clubs and schools for the development of Youth Cricket.

Somerset’s Jamie Cox, Andy Hurry, Jason Kerr, Sophie Luff and Emma Corney were also among those who attended.

The Harry Burden Young Cricketer of the Year Award was won for the second year in succession by Thomas Rew who is away in Australia scoring runs for England Lions. This season the 17 year old skippered England Under 19s in the home Test and ODI series against both India and Bangladesh.

Against India he scored the fastest ever England Under 19 ODI century, eventually making 131 off just 89 balls. He played for the First Class County Select XI in a four day match against Zimbabwe and scored 103 not out off 107 balls. Thomas averaged 44 for Somerset in the Metro Bank 50 Over Competition with a top score of 84 not out against Durham and played in three T20 Blast matches.

The Harry Burden Bursary, generously partly funded by Somerset County Sports, was awarded to 17 year old Verity Clark, a right arm seam bowler currently studying for A levels at The Kings of Wessex in Cheddar.

Verity began her cricketing career at Cheddar CC and having joined the Somerset Pathway aged 11, captained the Somerset Under 15s on several occasions, taking her first five-fer against Devon. When she was just 13, Verity made her Somerset Under 18s debut and took four wickets against Cornwall.

In 2022 Verity was selected to represent Western Storm Academy for two seasons and made her debut for Somerset Women against Gloucestershire in 2024 in a T20 match. She was selected for the first Somerset Women’s Academy this season, representing them in several matches and has retained her place for next season.

Meanwhile, Australian Riley Meredith will return to the Somerset club for the duration of the 2026 Vitality Blast tournament. In 2024 the 29 year old took 14 wickets at an average of 22.78 with a best of four for 12, while this summer he was the competition’s leading wicket taker as Somerset won the trophy, taking 28 wickets in 14 matches at an average 16.32, with a best of four for 21. After sealing his return to the Cooper Associates County Ground, Riley said: “I’ve loved my time with Somerset, and it was great to be able to contribute to this year’s success. It’s a really good group of players and I can’t wait to get back to Taunton and playing in front of those fans.”

Somerset Director of Cricket Andy Hurry said: “Riley played an integral part in our success this summer and we’re delighted to be bringing a player of his quality back. “His genuine pace and aggression will always trouble batters and he brings something different to our attack. I know that our members and supporters will be looking forward to seeing him take to field for us again in 2026. “Everyone connected with the club is looking forward to Riley bringing his trademark pace and energy back to the Cooper Associates County Ground. We can’t wait to see him charging in again as we look to defend our title in 2026.”