Somerset Cricket Club (Somerset won toss): Somerset beat PHC by 114 runs

Somerset cruised into the First Division Twenty20 final with an emphatic 114-run victory over PHC at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

Led by unbeaten half-centuries from Gregory Maybury, the deputising captain, and Jacobi Robinson, the home side piled up a formidable 186 for three in their allotted overs.

Robinson then capped a fine all-round display by grabbing three wickets along with his cousin Alje Richardson as PHC folded for 72 in 14.3 overs.

Maybury and Robinson were the backbone of Somerset’s innings after the home side elected to bat on a good wicket.

The pair added 86 runs in just six overs to give their team’s bowlers plenty to defend.

Standing in for captain Jordan DeSilva, who is away on duty with the Bermuda Regiment, opener Maybury led the way with an unbeaten 70, that included seven fours and two sixes, and reached his half-century off 43 balls in 57 minutes.

Robinson was in more of a hurry, reaching his half-century off 22 balls in 30 minutes, in an aggressive unbeaten knock of 61 that contained eight fours and three sixes.

Maybury also added 36 for the first wicket with Azeem Pitcher, and 29 for the second with Jekon Edness, and 35 for the third with Alje Richardson.

Colin Stewart, the seam bowler, took two for 33 and was the pick of a PHC bowling attack that leaked 24 runs in extras, including 18 wides.

PHC fell behind the run rate early in their chase and lost wickets at regular intervals trying to catch up as Somerset kept the pressure on the batsmen at both ends.

Jelanie Albouy, the PHC captain, featured in his team’s biggest stand at the top of the order before the wheels completely came off the wagon.

He added 24 for the first wicket with Ellsworth Bean, and a further 21 for the second with Jade Morrisey, the wicketkeeper, before he was the third wicket to fall in the eighth over with the score on 54

Albouy scored 28 from 23 balls and struck three fours, while Morrisey, the only other PHC batsman in double figures, managed ten from eight balls.

From 54 for three PHC completely lost their way with their remaining seven wickets falling for just 16 runs.

Richardson, the son of Somerset coach Jeff Richardson, finished with three for 22, while Robinson took three for six off just two overs.

Azar Morrisey, the leg-break spin bowler, claimed two for six off just 1.3 overs.