SOMERSET’S former Academy players were very much to the fore with both bat and ball as the Cidermen had the better of their rain affected draw against Kent at Canterbury that ended yesterday afternoon (April 10).

After the first day was lost to the rain Kent were put into bat by new skipper  Devonian Lewis Gregory who then went onto claim four wickets for 66 while another Academy product Kasey Aldridge ended with two for 32 from his 10 overs as the hosts were bowled out for 284 in the 79th over.

Opener Tom Lammonby who hails from Exeter and another player who has come through the  Academy system at Taunton, then led the way when Somerset replied.

The left handed batter made a patient 90 off 185 balls which included 11 fours, and during his innings he shared a first wicket partnership of 117 with Aussie batter Matt Renshaw, who hit 45, before he was third player out with the total on 217.

Tom Banton and Lewis Goldsworthy, another two former Academy graduates, then made 28 and 35 respectively before three wickets tumbled in the space of four overs reducing the visitors to 255 for six.

At this stage  20 year old James Rew and 23 year old Aldridge, two more local boys, came together and steadied the situation The pair put on 101 for the seventh wicket in 18 overs before the former was out for 57 which he scored off 60 deliveries and included eight fours and a six.

Aldridge added 32 with Josh Davey before he was out for 57  which came off 78 balls and included five fours and one six before he was out with the total on 388.

Davey remained at the crease to see up the 400 and was unbeaten on 16 as the visitors were all out for 403 in 110.1 overs.

Batting for a second time 159 runs in arrears Jake Ball made an early breakthrough when he claimed the wicket of Ben Compton in the fourth over.

Davey then also grabbed a early wicket when he accounted for Tawanda Muyeye to reduce Kent to 10 for two in the fifth over.

Jack Leaning and Daniel Bell-Drummond took the total onto 68 before Goldsworthy claimed the wicket of Leaning for 32.

Bell-Drummond and Joe Denly then remained at the crease and batted out virtually the whole of the remainder of the day adding 222 together in 44 overs before Goldsworthy had Deny caught by Renshaw for 110, as Kent ended on 290 for four and the game ended in a draw, Bel- Drummond unbeaten on 107

Somerset take  15 points from this match which sees them go second in the First Division table.