SOMERSET’S 2024 season came to a disappointing end when they lost their final championship match to Hampshire by five wickets at Taunton, with more than a day to spare.

Not much more than two weeks ago the Cidermen were in with the chance of landing all three of England’s domestic competitions, but in the event they ended runners up in the Vitality Blast T20, runners up in the Metro Bank 50 over comp and third in the championship.In their final game of the season.

Once again it was the inconsistent batting and on this occasion spilled catches that let them down. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first Somerset lost their first two wickets off the opening 11 balls and were shot out for 136, of which 18 year old Archie Vaughan, who opened the innings, made 29 while Tom Kohler-Cadmore hit 63 off 135 balls.

When Hampshire replied three wickets from Jack Leach saw them slip to 76 for six before opener Toby Albert, who had been dropped early in his innings, made 77 and ‘keeper Ben Brown with 35 added 73 together before the visitors were all out for 196.

Leach ended with five wickets for 52 off 20 overs while Lewis Gregory finished with two for 40 off 12. Facing a deficit of 60 and batting for a second time Somerset found themselves 108 for seven before Gregory and Leach took the total onto 163 when the former was out for 59, which came off 47 balls and included 10 fours and one six.

The hosts eventually reached 180 before they were all out, Leach remaining unbeaten on 33, while the ever dangerous Kyle Abbot ended with five for 37 to add to his first innings tally of four for 37.

Chasing 120 for victory Gregory gave the hosts a dream start when he claimed two wickets with the first two deliveries of the innings. It would have been a hat-trick but Vince, who went onto make 58, was dropped without scoring

Gregory made it 21 for three when he saw the back of Fletcha Middleton and when Leach accounted for Tom Prest LBW hopes of an upset were revived.

However Vince and Liam Dawson then came together and saw Hampshire onto 103 before Leach had Vince stumped by James Rew. Sadly there was to be no more joy for the Somerset bowlers as Dawson and Brown remained together to see Hampshire onto 121 for five off the final ball of the 27th over.

Dawson ended unbeaten on 44, while Brown remained not out five. For the home side Gregory finished the innings with three wickets for 30 runs off six overs while Leach claimed two for 25 from nine.