THE Somerset Pathway Under 18 cricket teams have enjoyed a successful run of form lately with the Girls Under 18s beating their Dorset counterparts twice in the ECB T20 County Cup at Dorchester, while the Under 18 boys emerged  triumphant over Devon in a 50 over contest.

In the first of their two T20 matches after being asked to bat Somerset openers Laila Moledina and Emma Phillipson shared an opening partnership of 115 before the latter departed for 53, which she scored off 54 balls with six fours.

Laila remained until the end of the innings by which time she was unbeaten on 50 off 59 balls, with one four, and Somerset ended their innings on 131 for two. When the home side replied they were bowled out for 52 in 14.4 overs, Connie Osborn taking two for five, Lilly Hawkins two for nine and Anu Balasubramanian two for 11.

In the second match the visitors were again put into bat first and posted 109 for five from their 20 overs, of which Katie Rowe made 15, Laila Moledina 21 while  Emma Phillipson ended not out 15.

When Dorset batted they were all out for 83 in 19.3 overs, Ella Pal and Anu Balasubramanian  both ending with two wickets for nine runs.

Meanwhile the Somerset Under 18 boys were in action against Devon who, after choosing to bat first, posted 235 for eight from their 50 overs, James Matravers claiming two for 23, Noah Lewis-Jones two for 44 and Jago Barclay  two for 47.

When Somerset responded they slipped to 27 for three before Lachlan Rice was joined by James Matravers who together put on 99 for the fourth wicket before the former was out for a patient 27 which he scored from 72 balls.

Matravers then added 20 for the sixth wicket with Henry Martin before he was out for 65.  his runs coming off 98 balls and including six fours and three sixes.

Jago Barclay  walked out to the middle to join Martin and take the total onto 180 before Martin departed for 22, which brought Blaise Baker out to bat who added 53 before he was out for 29.

Barclay remained to steer Somerset onto 236 for seven off 49 overs and victory by three wickets , by which time he was unbeaten on 40 off 36 deliveries with three fours and two sixes.