A SOMERSET XI claimed a dramatic two-run win over Devon in a National County T20 fixture at Exmouth CC on Monday evening.

Set 175 to win, a 53-run eighth wicket stand between Matt Whalley (26*) and Charlie Ward (27*) took Devon to within touching distance of victory, but it was the young Cidermen who came out on top.

After Somerset won the toss and elected to bat they lost two wickets in the opening over when Theo Lamey (0) was caught and bowled by James Matravers off the second ball of the match. The Devon seamer then bowled Kian Roberts (0) with his fifth delivery.

Fin Hill (35) and Bertie Michael got the innings back on track with a 65-run stand for the third wicket.

Michael (83 not out from 58 deliveries), who attends King’s College and plays his club cricket for Taunton Deane, then shared partnerships of 44 with Oscar Coleman (18) and 64 with Zach Vukusic (28 not out off 15) as Somerset posted a total of 174 for four.

Chasing 175 for victory, Devon lost Gabe Gallman-Findlay in the opening over when he was bowled by JT Langridge. Ben Privett and Seb Linnitt took the score to 42 before the former fell to Jenson John for 21. Matravers (18) and Linnitt (28) then fell in quick succession to leave the hosts on 74 for four.

Callum Harvey added a useful 28 but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

Devon required 10 off the final over, but Matt Theedom held his nerve as Somerset claimed victory. In their second National County fixture Somerset will be travelling to Wadebridge CC on Friday 3rd July to face Cornwall in a 50 over game starting at 11.00am. Further details regarding tickets for the Cornwall match and all other matters relating to Somerset CCC log onto somersetcountycc.co.uk