Somerset stay top of the South Group and secure their quarter-final spot, beating Glamorgan by 29 runs.
Having been forced to bat first, Somerset again lost early wickets but managed to reach 210-8 thanks to belligerent batting from their middle order. Corey Anderson top scored with 72 after runs for James Hildreth and a steady 36 at the top from Steve Davies.
It was Hildreth who again scored the most elegant of runs against Glamorgan, whilst still at quick pace. His 47 off 30 balls included three effortlessly stroked sixes. When he unnecessarily attempted a second scoop shot, he was again unsuccessful, this time very well held one-handed by Chris Cooke behind the wicket.
This was Anderson’s cue to up the ante. He and Gregory romped to a 50-partnership with both striking at over 200 per 100 balls. Gregory got to 22 off 9 before skying one to old teammate Craig Meschede.
Anderson continued on in brutal fashion though, taking Hogan for three sixes off his final over, including reaching his 50 with a maximum of course. 50 off 21 balls with four sixes, a few full tosses helping the Kiwi mind.
Van der Merwe spent a lot of time ducking and dodging Anderson’s almighty heaves at the non-strikers’ end, such that he started to run three strips wider on Anderson’s offside – a very sensible move! The Dutchman only faced one ball, which he hit to the ropes, while Anderson continued to bludgeon his way to 72 off 30 balls.
Out to the penultimate ball of the innings, a last ball golden duck for Jamie Overton made little odds, Somerset finishing 210-8.
Glamorgan were always going to struggle chasing 200 against a rampant Somerset of late, especially if Colin Ingram didn’t go big. After Donald fell early, the big South African struck a four off his very first ball, soon followed by a big six, but when sub-fielder and twin brother Craig earnt Jamie Overton a wicket with a great catch at deep square leg, 211 already seemed out of Glamorgan’s reach.
Carlson and Meschede batted nicely to the end of the powerplay and into the eighth over, but were never quite up with the rate. Carlson hit Waller to Craig Overton in the deep to depart for 16. Consecutive sixes off the first two deliveries of van der Merwe’s second over suddenly took Meschede to 31 off 19. But he lasted just four balls further, Waller had him caught superbly by Jamie Overton (at long on) for 35.
Lloyd and Wagg didn’t make double figures, the latter run out after a sensational one-handed diving stop from Lewis Gregory at short extra cover. Cooke and Salter put on 40, but it was too little too late with so few wickets in hand.
Craig Overton picked up a fourth catch deep on the leg side to gift Waller another two wickets in the 16th over, the third time this combination earnt Somerset a wicket!
With very dark clouds all around, Somerset eventually cemented the inevitable by bowling their full 20 overs – something very few in the South West would have expected – 40 overs bowled without a drop of rain after the delayed start!
Glamorgan’s 10 and 11 put on 35 to irritate Somerset, but they only put the cider on ice.
