Embattled Somerset spinner Jacobi Robinson silenced his critics during last week’s Cup Match at Wellington Oval.The seamer turned off-break spinner claimed match best figures of six for 83, that included two maiden wickets in St George’s’ first innings, to help the champions retain the cup by way of a draw.Prior to this year’s Cup Match many in the West End were calling for Robinson’s head to roll. However, the Somerset selectors felt otherwise.Robinson, the son of former Somerset Cup Match left arm spinner Wayne (Spike) Richardson, justified his selection by producing his best bowling display in Cup Match since his 10-wicket haul in the 2005 classic at Wellington Oval to put the muzzle on his critics.“It (criticism) just gave me more motivation to come out there and do well and as long as I had belief in myself it really didn’t matter what people say and hopefully now I have silenced the critics somewhat,” Robinson told The Royal Gazette.“I know people are always going to have their opinion on me, but at the end of the day I am out there to play for my team who have my back and that’s all that matters.”Former Somerset skipper Robinson feels his spin bowling hasn’t received the recognition it warrants.“Ever since I changed from bowling seam to spin people haven’t given me the respect that I feel I deserve,” he said. “I have worked hard at it and it got me into the national programme.“I have been a regular in the national team over these last overseas campaigns and even then I didn’t earn the respect that people should’ve been giving me because I have worked hard.”Robinson claimed four for 65 in St George’s first innings and two for 18 in the challengers’ second to emerged as the chief wicket taker in this year’s rain-affected match that ended in stalemate.“It was definitely good to finally get some wickets in Cup Match spinning,” he added. “Last year I felt that I bowled tight but really didn’t get the wickets. But this year things seemed to work in my favour, especially with St George’s having so many left handers which was to my liking.”The St George’s batsmen found it difficult to face Robinson on a turning track.“The ball was turning a lot and I was giving it a lot of flight and once it hit the pitch it was turning big,” Robinson said.“As long as I mixed up the speed and varied the pace I always felt I was going to get rewarded with the ball turning so much.”Somerset dominated the match throughout but saw their victory plans for a first Cup Match victory in St George’s in more than three decades thwarted by rain on the second day with the hosts limping along at 137 for five after being forced to follow on from their first innings.“Once the weather came it gave us less time and I think if they had to bat that time we lost to rain we would’ve got that result we were looking for,” Robinson said. “But obviously the rain came and we couldn’t do nothing about that.”Somerset’s victory charge was also derailed by an unbroken 54-run sixth wicket partnership between Lionel Cann and Rodney Trott.“Rodney and Lionel definitely showed their experience to hang around and I think we probably would’ve won the game if Lionel wasn’t there,” Robinson said. “The same way Somerset people were calling for my head St George’s people were calling for Lionel’s. But I give the utmost respect to a guy like Lionel because he came out there and showed that he is still a class player that can play at this level.”