By Grockle
April 21 2003

The media believes that we will lose this one after the Bristolians leave us 184 to get with one whole day left. Oh they of little faith! We've stopped collapsing twice in games...the first innings was a little glitch...wasn't it?

v GLOUCESTERSHIRE CC2 @ Bristol 18 April 2003

DAY ONE

DAY TWO

DAY THREE

DAY FOUR

'Points West' continued their Bristolian reporting of this game by stating that Gloucestershire were in a strong position at the end of Day 3.  Do they know something we don't?  Have they had more experience on Somerset than we have?   Surely a team who need 184 to win a game with a day left to get them and 8 wickets standing including 2 internationals, an England all rounder and a man who scored 116 in the first innings should be in the driving position?.....shouldn't they

A much colder day with the threat of rain in the air to increase the possibility of this game becoming a washed out draw.  But the bowling attack are still trying to make a game out of it.  Glos. start Day 3 with a possible whip hand.  Leading by 123 runs with 5 wickets in hand and Russell and Matt Window set at the crease.  In fact by the time Windows goes, the whip is clearly in the hands of the home side.   The score has risen to 258, Mclean getting his fourth wicket of the innings.   Fisher goes at 282 and gives the West Indian his first West Country five-fer but the total is rising uncomfortably.  Sillence (who is this guy) joins Jack and they add another 66 before Aaron Laraman starts to show what he can do.  At 348 for 8 we don't need many more to chase.  The new boy hears and obeys, Sillence is clean bowled for 40, Lewis caught for 8 and Smith disposed of for 1.  3 for 45 (although actually 3 for 20 in 19 minutes).  They have more than we would have liked but we SHOULD be able to put this together in the time left and take the points.

Bowler and Trescothick open but Marcus still seems to be out of sorts and goes caught behind to Smith for a lowly 10 - he is gonna need as much time in the middle as possible.   Will we ever reach 25 without losing a wicket again?  Burnsy comes in at 3 and puts on a 50 partnership with the 'Old Man' but he goes before the close LBW to Lewis - 76 for 2 (It's better than 36 but still some way behind the ask).  Buzz arrives to see out the last bit of decent light and we fall one short of the ton when the umpires call a halt.

Day 4 is going to be 'nip and tuck'.  We should be confident but how can you be?   The batting still isn't firing completely and some of our most established stars seem fragile.  But it is early days and there is ample talent left in the line up to get the runs.  We need 184 with 8 remaining - it's only about 25 each.  The last 5 put on more than this a day ago and we still expect to see something from Cox, Bryant, Blackwell and Laraman - now's the time to get the early ones in lads!

Smith got Bowler LBW for 50 just before midday on Day 4 but Cox and Bryant have pushed the score on to 136 for 3. Less than 150 from our first Championship win......6 hours to go!!  Cross everything people!