WITH the the local league cricket fixtures being completed a few weeks earlier, a group of players from Minehead Cricket Club made the trip to the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton at the weekend to watch day three of the Cidermen’s final match of the season against Surrey.

And what a day’s play they had to enjoy - the weather was perfect and the runs flowed, much to the delight of everyone in the MCC party.

Ian Buchanan, who was one of the group, summed it up when he said: “ We had a great day out on Saturday, enjoying the end of our season celebrations thanks to some fines money accrued over the last year or two!

“The hospitality in The Glastonbury Suite was superb and we were very well looked after - so a big thanks to the staff at Somerset CCC.

“We were treated to a masterclass from Tom Abell who batted all day, eventually going on to hit 307. A few of us more senior guys remember Tom playing club cricket against Minehead CC for Taunton CC many years ago, so it’s great to see him doing so well all these years later.”

Ian added: “Many of us are members at Somerset CCC, we’ll be looking to make this kind of team trip a regular fixture in years to come. We are also looking forward to Somerset captain Lewis Gregory joining us for our Annual Dinner on Friday, October 9.”

*Minehead’s first XI enjoyed another competitive season in the Somerset Cricket League, finishing the campaign in the middle of the table after spending much of the season challenging near the top.

The Pirates made an excellent start and were lying second after seven matches. There were inevitably some difficult weeks, but Minehead responded with some excellent results, including ending Shapwick & Polden’s five-match winning run in August.