Albert Steede carved his way into the history books as the first batsman to score a half century under the floodlights at Somerset Cricket Club on Wednesday night.

The prolific batsman stroked an unbeaten 75 in front of one of the largest gatherings at a cricket match this season to propel the President?s Select to 215 for eight in 53 overs before stumps were drawn at 11.02 p.m., signalling the close of opening night?s play to the Cup Match champions? first trial match.

A Vice-President?s Select were scheduled to reply last night.

Steede shone just as brightly as the new lights on the West End ground, the former Cup Match skipper dispatching anything short of a length or over pitched either square, through mid-wicket or over the top.

He featured in two fruitful stands, putting on 55 for the first wicket with Sheridan (Baldy) Ming (13) and 49 for the second with Devon Wade (39).

Steede scored 58 of his 75 runs in boundaries, belting ten fours and three sixes before skipper Janeiro Tucker called him in to allow the Somerset selectors a look at another batsman.

?Albert is a veteran campaigner and this was an opportunity for him to play under the lights one last time before he retires. And I think he rose to the occasion. He was stroking the ball all over the place,? commented Somerset coach Jeff Richardson.

Richardson described the club?s new lighting system as ?first class?.

?This (night cricket) is something very new to us and I think it was well received by the crowd because Somerset Cricket Club haven?t seen a crowd like that on a Wednesday night in some time,? he said.

?The players also took some excellent catches under the lights which proves they are first class.?

Meanwhile, also enjoying solid knocks were Wade, who stroked five fours and a six, and Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock who delighted the crowd with a series of delightful strokes. The gentle giant stroked 23, including two fours and a beautifully straight driven six over long-on before he was the last wicket to fall when he was gloved by wicketkeeper Reid Jones after attempting to loft promising young seamer Jordan DeSilva out of the park.

Dennis Pilgrim chipped in with 17 while skipper Tucker and cousin Kwame Tucker each scored 15.

Wendell White was the Vice-President Select?s best bowler, claiming two for 55 while DeSilva took two for 57 and Jacobi Robinson two for 58.