New skipper Roderick top scores for Glos in Somerset draw
24 March 2016
It was a case of honours even at Taunton Vale CC as Gloucestershire’s friendly with local rivals Somerset ended in a draw.
Needing 255 for victory, the home side finished 65 runs short on 187-5 as bad light stopped play on the final afternoon.
To view the scorecard in full click here.
The two teams will now do battle in a T20 double header today (March 24).
The three day match proved useful preparation for Gloucestershire with three players making half centuries and seven bowlers getting overs under their belt, including new signing Chris Liddle, and Matt Taylor who missed much of last season through injury.
On day one newly-appointed County Championship skipper Gareth Roderick won the toss and chose to bat first.
And the new captain led from the front, top-scoring with 65 from 147 balls, as his side declared on 277-9 just before the close.
Glos had been in a spot of bother when they were reduced to 72-5 after losing four wickets for 28 runs. But Roderick and the lower order responded in positive fashion to post a respectable score. Roderick and Jack Taylor added 62 before the latter went for 48 - scored at more than a run a ball. The biggest partnership of the innings came from the unlikely pair of David Payne (50*) and Liam Norwell (45*) who put on an unbeaten 65 before the declaration was made.
Craig Overton was the pick of the home bowlers with 4-54 while left arm seamer Tom Barber (2-76), on trial after being released by Hampshire, and Tim Groenewald (2-25) also bowled well.
Bad light brought a premature end to the first day with Somerset closing on 2-0.
The second day belonged to the batsmen with Marcus Trescothick leading the way with 95 and James Hildreth an unbeaten 54 as the hosts declared at tea 48 runs behind on 229-3.
Norwell (1-33), Craig Miles (1-36) and Kieron Noema-Barnett (1-18) were the three Glos wicket-takers.
Batting for a second time the visitors then reached 115 for three - a lead of 163 - with one day of the match remaining. Chris Dent (42), Tom Smith (1) and Roderick (33) were the men out.
On the final day Hamish Marshall made an unbeaten 60 and George Hankins scored 26 as Glos declared on 206-4 leaving Somerset a target of 255.
In response both Jim Allenby (54) and Tom Abell (55*) made half-centuries before bad light stopped play at 5.10pm with the score on 187-5. The wickets were shared around between five of Gloucestershire’s bowlers with only Payne going wicket-less.
