SOMERSET’S last hope of winning a major trophy in 2024 came to a disappointing end when they were beaten by Glamorgan in the 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 that runs alongside The Hundred during high summer and thoroughly deserved to win their way through to the final, which was due to be played on Sunday (Sept 22).

Sadly rain fell all day on Sunday preventing any play and denying the three coach loads of fans who had left Taunton at 6.30am to see their young guns in action, along with many hundreds of others who 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 Somerset the dream start when he claimed two wickets in two balls including 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 at 186 for seven. Ogborne ended with two for 36 and Thomas two for 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.

At this point Archie Vaughan was joined by skipper Sean Dickson and the pair added 66 together in just 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 showed once again just what a talented player he is ending 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 and although they might have lost will have gained a huge amount from the experience of playing in a one day final at a test match hosting ground.