St.George's CC 74

Somerset CC 75-2

Medium pacer Marico Bassett wreaked havoc with the ball at Wellington Oval yesterday to inspire champions Somerset to an emphatic eight-wicket thrashing of rivals St.George's in one of the most lopsided victories in Colts Cup Match history.

The right arm bowler was introduced into his team's attack as a second change bowler and immediately turned the tide in Somerset's favour for good with a robust seven-over spell that yielded six wickets for 19 runs and four maidens.

Early order bats Coefield Robinson (30) and Joshua Gilbert (22) then anchored the cup holders safely to victory in only 15.3 overs courtesy of an unbroken 32-run third wicket partnership.

But it was Somerset's disciplined bowling attack, spearheaded by Bassett, that put the biggest dent in the challengers' cup hopes.

Bassett struck in the 12th over when he bowled St.George's skipper Kyle Hodsoll (seven) who played over and then sliced through the East Enders' middle and lower order with consummate ease.

Justin Pitcher (26) became Bassett's next victim when he lashed out and was sharply held at point and with the very next delivery Allan Douglas jr (0) was bowled for a golden duck playing back to one that stayed low.

At 56 for seven, St.George's were in serious trouble and there would be no respite as Bassett kept up his relentless one-man assault, bowling from the eastern end of the ground.

Tre Govia, who will debut in the senior Cup Match classic later this week, hung around for 23 balls for his 13 runs before Bassett pitched a gem of an inswinger that went right through the gate. Machai Hodsoll (one) fell in similar fashion, beaten all ends up by another inswinger that jagged back off a good length, before the curtains came down on St.George's innings when O'Kera Bascome (one) was held at deep mid-wicket to complete Bassett's magical spell.

Bassett, however, wasn't the only Somerset bowler to shine as skipper Greg Maybury jr, who made the initial breakthrough when he had Chae Pitcher (one) caught behind in the first over, took two for 12 off eight overs and had three maidens. Somerset wicketkeeper/batsman Robinson also had an outstanding day in the field as he held three catches behind the stumps.

In reply Somerset lost opener Bassett (four) in the second over but a second-wicket stand of 38 runs between Donavan Burgess (18) and Robinson put the cup holders firmly back on course before the latter sealed his team's convincing win with a massive six over the mid-wicket boundary off left arm seamer Machai Hodsoll.

Robinson blasted five fours and a six off 30 balls while Gilbert faced 24 balls for his runs that included two sweetly timed sixes off Govia that sailed over the fence.

Pitcher (one for 16) and Govia (one for 22) were the pick of a St.George's bowling attack that always faced an uphill climb defending a shallow total on a spacious pitch.