Dion Stovell and Malachi Jones finished their Cup Match careers in stunning fashion by playing a huge part in Somerset’s victory.

Stovell scored 52 runs and picked up match figures of seven wickets for 67 runs. Jones stroked an unbeaten 79, which included one six, with the 37-year-old getting the wicket of Keegan Jones to leave his team within striking distance of success.

As he soaked in the Cup Match aftermath for the last time as a player, Stovell revealed he felt blessed to go out in the manner that he did.

“I’m just over the moon,” Stovell told The Royal Gazette.

“Malachi Jones and I got fifties in our last Cup Match. We both played a part to help Somerset retain the trophy and it’s just a blessing. For both of us, it’s always about winning and to achieve it in our last match really feels special.

“I just want to thank the Somerset community as they have been good to us throughout the years.

“At the end of the day, I left on my own accord and I don’t think I have anything left to give them, so I’m thankful.”

Reflecting on the victory, Stovell commended his team-mates for their relentless effort throughout the two days.

“I feel really good about this result,” the 41-year-old said.

“I think we put in a good shift today and everybody played a part, from the bowlers, the batsmen and the fielders.

“I thought we were spot-on throughout the whole game. The first day started late, but we didn’t look at that as a negative, we took it as a positive to move forward.”

As he steps away from the Annual Classic, Stovell challenged the young players lining up to replace him not to rest on their laurels.

“I think the players who’ll come after us could do a good job,” he said.

“They have to work hard as if they don’t work hard, it’s not going to be easy. But you can see that St George’s has got some talented cricketers.

“I feel like they’re not going to stop coming but at the end of the day if our guys stick to the plan and keep the standards high, they’re still going to be successful.”

While Somerset won by an innings and 90 runs, all-rounder Stovell still found time to express his admiration for some of the young talent in the St George’s camp.

“St George’s put up a good fight and they’ve got some good players,” he said.

“I’ve got to look at Luke Horan and Isaiah O’Brien. These guys have got a bright future ahead of them, together with Keegan Jones.

“If they stick to it and go about their plans properly, they’re going to be successful in future.”

Somerset captain Terryn Fray took time to commend the departing pair of Stovell and Jones for putting plenty of hard work into perfecting their craft.

“I don’t think that their expertise in cricket should ever be overlooked,” he said.

“If you look at the stats, they speak for themselves. Malachi Jones blistered 79 and could have got a hundred. Dion scored a fifty and picked up seven wickets, which shows his class.

“These guys have put a lot of time into the crowd and Somerset is going to miss them moving forward.

“We’re going to have some thinking to do about what we do next year as they are going to be a big miss to this team.

“For their knowledge, the experience, the way they play the game, the toughness and the mental toughness, they bring it all.”