SOMERSET’S last hope of winning a major trophy came to a disappointing end when they were beaten by Glamorgan in the rain-hit Metro Bank One Day Cup final at Trent Bridge.
The Somerset team containing eight former Academy players had produced their best ever performances in the 50 over competition which runs alongside The Hundred during high summer and thoroughly deserved to win their way through to the final.
Sadly, rain fell all day on Sunday preventing any play being possible and denying the three coach loads of fans who had left Taunton to see their young guns in action, along with many hundreds of others who had travelled to the midlands independently.
The match rolled over to the reserve day when in view of another bad forecast the match was played as a 20 over contest which in the event suited Glamorgan whose team had represented the county in the Vitality Blast earlier in the year.
After being put into bat Alfie Ogborne gave his side the dream start when he claimed two wickets in two balls including that of Kiran Carlson who had scored a century against Somerset in the crucial T20 match earlier in the summer.
Glamorgan were restricted to 65 for four before Billy Root (39) and Sam Northeast 63 not out added 78 for the fifth wicket in just over eight overs, before the innings closed in 186 for seven. Ogborne ended with 2-36 and Thomas 2-23.
When Somerset replied they lost Thomas run out for 13 off the last ball of the third over. Andy Umeed and Lewis Goldsworthy added 49 together in six overs before the latter perished for 11.
Umeed made 45 off 36 balls before he was out and two runs later Rew followed for 19 which made Somerset 89 for four in the 13th over, looking like falling well short.
Archie Vaughan was joined by skipper Sean Dickson and the pair added 66 in five overs before Dickson perished for 44 off 20 balls which included three sixes and five fours.
Once Dickson was out, however, despite the best efforts of Vaughan, the momentum went and Somerset reached 171 for six, 15 runs short of their target. Vaughan ended unbeaten on 32 off 18 balls.
In the event the outcome was disappointing but the youngsters who played can be proud as they gave it their all, they fought hard right up to the end.