21 years ago Somerset lifted C & G Trophy at Lord’s on that never to be forgotten day

Twenty one years ago on September 1st 2001, it seemed like the whole of Somerset were making their ways  up the M5 and along the M4 to Lord’s Cricket Ground to watch the Cidermen take on Leicestershire in the final of the Cheltenham and Gloucestershire Trophy.

The last time that their loyal fans had enjoyed the sweet taste of success was at the end of the Glory Days back in 1983 so it had been a long long wait and a generation had grown up without experiencing the thrill of winning silverware.

In his first season as captain in 1999, Jamie Cox had led the side to the final of the 50 over competition at Lord’s but on that occasion it ended in disappointment when they were beaten by the old enemy Gloucestershire.

Since then the team had been strengthened by the signing of big hitting all rounder Ian Blackwell from Derbyshire, as well as Richard Johnson and Keith Dutch from Middlesex all of whom made valuable contributions on the road to Lord’s.

The campaign to reach the final had been far from easy and had started with a match against Cambridgeshire at March on 23rd June where after being asked to bat by the Minor Counties side Somerset found themselves 69 for four before Mark Lathwell hit 101 off 103, and supported by 46 from Rob Turner and Mike Burns who hit 36 they posted 271 for nine from their overs.

In reply opening bowler Jamie Grove produced one of his best spells ending with four for 36 off his 10 overs to help bowl Cambridgeshire out for 221.

Next up Somerset hosted Glamorgan who batting first posted 269 for six of which Matt Maynard contributed an unbeaten 93. The hosts reached their target thanks to an opening’s partnership of 143 between Marcus Trescothick who hit 121, and reached his century off just 69 balls and Peter Bowler who made 43. Cox then saw the side home with an unbeaten 63 off 55 balls.

The quarter final involved a trip to Canterbury to face Kent where after opting to bat first the visitors made 263 for eight thanks to 71 from Mike Burns and a Blackwell half century.  In reply Kent struggled against accurate bowling which included a spell of seven overs three for 19 from Keith Parsons and tidy fielding were bowled out for 211 in the 47th over.

The home semi final against Warwickshire was a real thriller and will be remembered for the batting partnership between Dutch and Turner.

After being put into bat the visitors were limited to 228 for eight, which was a modest total on a good batting track, especially given that they had at one stage been 101 without loss. Parsons with two for 48 and Burns with two for 30, both from their ten overs the accounted for the top four between them, after which Johnson claimed three for 42.

The Somerset reply started disastrously and they found themselves six for three.Cox then came in and steadied things with 47 after which Parsons with 31 and Blackwell who made 30 helped the recovery.

However when Dutch walked to the wicket to join Turner 100 runs were still needed off 19 overs, which given what had gone before looked a stiff task.

Between them however the pair took hold of the situation and regained the initiative with Dutch who hit an unbeaten 61 off 54 balls being particularly aggressive as they guided the Cidermen to victory without further loss, Turner ending 42 not out.

So once again the faithful trekked to the headquarters of the summer game in the hope of regaining some glory and this time they were not to be disappointed.

After deciding to bat first in front of a packed house most of who seemed to be supporting Somerset who were the underdogs according to the bookies, the innings was given a helping hand when opening bowler Scott Boswell sent down a 14 ball over which included eight wides.

Jimmy Ormond accounted for Marcus Trescothick for 18 before Cox and Peter Bowler saw the total to 107 in the 32nd over. Shahid Afridi then claimed three wick wickets and with 13 overs left Somerset found themselves 178 for five.

At this point Keith Parsons was joined by Turner and the two proceeded to add 95 from 82 balls, which included two huge sixes by Parsons off the final deliveries of the innings to take him to 60 as Turner ended unbeaten on 37 and Somerset reached 271 for five.

In their reply Leicestershire lost Afridi early on when ‘keeper Turner held onto a skier off Johnson, but then Trevor Ward and Darren Maddy saw them to 105, before Parsons produced a gem and bowled Ward for 54.Wickets then fell regularly until Steffan Jones claimed his third wicket and Leicestershire’s last- that of the unfortunate Boswell and it was all over, they were bowled out for 230 in the 46th over.

Somerset had at last lifted a trophy and the sweet taste of success made the 18 years of waiting all the more worthwhile.

Article contributed by Richard Walsh, Trustee and Sports Journalist.