SOMERSET’S 150th celebration match against Warwickshire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at the Cooper Associates County Ground on Sunday was a resounding success from the time that the first person started to queue outside the St James Street Gates long before the official opening time until the match concluded.

The only disappointment as far as the Cidermen’s fans were concerned was that it was Warwickshire who ran out the winners by three wickets and the man who saw Warwickshire across the line was none other than Watchet boy Jake Lintott who made an unbeaten 50 his first ever List A half century!

Even before the first supporters were allowed into the ground the Annual Church service was taking place on Gimblett Hill after which the Rock Choir provided a musical interlude before the start of play at 11am.

After being put into bat Somerset posted 309 for 9 from their 50 overs of which Tom Lammonby made exactly 100 off 111 balls with nine 4s and two 6s. James Rew hit 81 off 69 with nine 4s and two 6s, Thomas Rew 41 and Alfie Ogborne 30.

When Warwickshire replied they looked well placed at 205 for four in the 38th over, but then Ogborne and JT Langridge claimed a wicket each to bring the hosts back into the game.

With the board reading 243 for six in the 41st over Lintott, who was born in Taunton and grew up playing his cricket for Watchet, strode to the wicket.

The 32 year old who, after trialling with several counties, has been on the Warwickshire staff since 2020, helped to add 65 for the seventh wicket before he was out for 50 off 36 balls with seven 4s and a 6, just two runs short of the target.