DURING June Somerset Seniors’ cricket was disrupted by the British summer - with matches cancelled first by rain and then by heat.

The 50s Firsts enjoyed comfortable wins in both fixtures. The Channel Islands were beaten by 136 runs after conceding 264, built around Mark Sage’s 74, before being dismissed for 128. Mark then hit 117 from 114 balls against Devon in Somerset’s 288 for 7. Opening bowler Jason Squire reduced Devon to 46 for 3 from which they never recovered closing on 171 for 9.

The 50s Seconds were edged out in several close games after starting the month with victory over Devon. Mike Fisher hit 122 of 252, supported by Jason Squire’s 50. Squire then started with a 5 over spell which claimed 3 for 10, stalling Devon’s chase as they finished on 233.

The following week brought a 41-run defeat to local rivals Gloucestershire who made 185 from 45 overs, with Clive Hamblin taking three wickets. Somerset lost wickets regularly and fell short. A trip to Cornwall brought a second defeat, by seven wickets, after Somerset posted 162.

The 50s Thirds played just once, losing after setting 206 for 6 which featured a 128-run stand between Scott Wright (52) and Ryan Lobb, with 87. After a rain delay, the DLS target of 122 unfortunately proved too attainable.

The 60s Firsts began with a one-wicket defeat to Gloucestershire. Somerset posted 204 for 6, Everton Griffith making 87, which Gloucestershire reached with two balls remaining.

An 11-run loss to Devon followed, despite four wickets from evergreen Simon Hogg and an unbeaten 56 from Chris Borton. Dorset then won by 27 runs, despite opener Graham Bishop’s 72. The month ended positively at Cornwall, where Somerset restricted the hosts to 182 for 7, skipper Martin Strong taking three wickets. Bishop made 54 as Somerset won by seven wickets.

The 60s Seconds enjoyed a strong June, winning three matches and losing one. Devon scored 170 for 7, Dave Barton taking three wickets before an opening stand of 87 between Alistair Barr (46) and Hugh Brooker (41) set up the chase.

Gloucestershire were beaten by six wickets as skipper Chris Brewer took five wickets before Barr’s 52 completed the win.

Wiltshire were dispatched by eight wickets in similar fashion, Brewer taking back-to-back five-wicket hauls. Brooker (68) and David Noyes (58 not out) shared a 121-run partnership to complete the chase. The final game, against Cornwall, brought a setback: despite Noyes’ 46, Somerset managed only 150 for 7 which Cornwall reached six down.

The 60s Thirds started with defeats against Oxford and Wales against who Mike Clments scored 50. In the away fixture at Berkshire who were dismissed for 179. Clements (59) and Andy Carson (108) shared an unbeaten 180-run partnership,

The weather also affected the other sides, with three teams playing only once each. The 60s Fourths lost to Gloucestershire, whose total of 219 left Somerset 100 runs short. The 70s Firsts also suffered a heavy defeat, despite Brian Hamer’s 41 of 193 for 8, the bowlers could not separate the Wiltshire openers.

The 70s Seconds enjoyed a 77-run win over Wiltshire, scoring 236 for 3, Martin Betty (66) and Rick Hutchinson (63) sharing a first wicket stand of 127. Rick Watkins and Alan Weadon kept it tight at the start of the hosts reply before Martin Veal took 3 for 15 to secure victory.