The young cricketers on the Somerset Pathway have produced some outstanding performances over the last few days, writes Richard Walsh.
Batter Sam Price topped the bill with 184 for the under-16s against Cornwall in a two-day game at Taunton CC, in which there were two centuries.
After opting to bat first, Cornwall were bowled out for 169 in 39.5 overs, Jo Tatham taking 2-33, Reuben Lewis-Jones 2-22 while Will Herdman claimed 2-1 from four overs, three of which were maidens.
In reply, Somerset made 472-9 declared from 84 overs, with Price, who opened the innings, and Nicholas Watson sharing a first-wicket partnership of 125 in 16.4 overs before the latter was out for 52 which came off 47 balls with 11 fours.
Sam then added 48 for the third wicket with Harry Gillam who made 21 and 47 for the fifth with Lewis Townsend before he was out for 184, which he made from 129 deliveries and which included 24 fours.
Lewis then took over the scoring mantle and added 87 for the eighth wicket with Will Herdman who made 54 off 57 balls with six fours and two sixes.
Lewis brought up his 100 off 136 balls with 10 fours and three sixes before Somerset declared.
Batting for a second time, Cornwall were bowled out for 259 in 42.1 overs, James Baker claiming 4-63 off 13 and Reuben Lewis-Jones 3-88 also from 13 with one maiden.
Against Devon in the ECB Girls Under 18 County Cup, Somerset chose to bat first and, after losing an early wicket, Katy Rowe and Isobel Glyn Jones, who hit 55 off 46 deliveries with eight fours, put on 159 together before Katy was out for 60 from 43 balls with 11 fours.
Isobel then added 48 for the third wicket with Verity Clark before both perished on 218, Verity first for 21 followed by Isobel, who made 55 from 46 balls with eight fours.
Charlotte Webber made 28 before Somerset were all out for 268 in 36.4 overs.
The pick of the Devon bowlers was Ella Gill, who is on the Somerset Academy, who ended with 3-34 from her eight overs.
When Devon replied, Verity Clark claimed the top two batters and looked in trouble at 78 for 6.
However, while their captain Ella Gill was at the crease, the hosts were in the hunt as she helped add 51 for the eighth wicket, 52 for the ninth, and 55 for the last before running out of partners.
Devon were eventually dismissed for 257 in 43 overs, and Ella was unbeaten on 116, which she scored off 132 balls and which included 18 fours.
The pick of the Somerset bowlers was Poppy Hawker, who ended with 4-38 from her eight overs, one of which was a maiden, while Verity Clark finished with 2-28 from seven with two maidens.
