VERITY Clarke claimed seven wickets playing for Somerset against Wiltshire at Burbage in the ECB Girls Under 18 County One Day Cup.

After the hosts won the toss and chose to bat Verity, who is on the Academy, opened the bowling and after taking a wicket in her first over claimed three of the top four batters as Wiltshire were reduced to 40 for 4.

Verity, who was the recipient of the Harry Burden Bursary for 2025 and is studying for her A Levels at the King’s of Wessex School at Cheddar, then returned later in the innings to help dismiss Wiltshire for 179 in 30.1 overs, to end with 7 for 28 from 8.1 overs, one of which was a maiden.

When Somerset replied they were given a good start by Katie Rowe with 38 and Charlotte Webber who together added 69 for the first wicket.

Charlotte and Leila Moledina then put on 70 for the second before the latter was out for 31, followed shortly after by the opener for 58 which came from 68 balls and included 10 fours.

However, from 146 for 3 the visitors were bowled out for 169 in 28.4 overs, 11 runs short of their target.

Verity’s bowling figures are one of the best ever achieved for the Somerset Girls Under 18.

In the same competition against Cornwall at Grampound Road batting first Somerset amassed 349 for 9 from their 50 overs, a total that was built around an opening partnership of 155 between Lilly Blackwell who made 80 from 69 balls with 15 fours and 32 from Charlotte Webber after which Mila Brooke made an unbeaten 48.

When Cornwall responded they were bowled out for 190 in 37.3 overs, Mila Brooke claiming 5 for 37 from 9.3 overs.