The Simpson's Birthday Show leads Middlesex Homer

Kev reports from Taunton on another thrilling finish with so many twists and turns.  If you don't know the result read through from the beginning to capture the excitement

One week ago I was at Scarborough hoping for a miraculous win. I had the distraction of air hockey and crazy golf to keep me going, while having  a deadline for having to return home. Today no such relief on the Taunton sea front and my train return was very open. Who knows there maybe more miracles. There are some inaccuracies with the precise details of this report but the emotions are real. 

At start of play, I felt we needed to bowl Somerset out in an hour to stand a good chance or if we have them before lunch a slight chance. One hour gone,not a wicket or a boundary Somerset are just happy to slowly take time out of the game. James Harris bowled unchanged for this period.

Just after midday the first four was followed by the wicket of Barrow. Trego finally out soon after. We were not sure about the " injured" Jamie Overton but he appeared without a runner, perhaps it was his twin ot there. There was lots of encouragement in the field for our bowlers trying to encourage a breakthrough but I felt subdued until was buoyed when Ollie shouted out "let's get behind Barmy Kev " to laughter all round. Another classic moment with 8 down 1 minute before lunch James Fuller dragged the umpire to the crease so he can get that over in which he bowled to Overton which consisted of 2 balls right up at him and then full length ball had him caught behind. Extra half an hour and we couldn't finish Somerset off.  In this session in this session there were only 4 boundaries. Game over, a draw is best we can hope for. were my thoughts.

After lunch Groenewald had a bit of a cameo to take game further away from us. I lost and found my yellow goblet to a cheer as he hit another 6. Then to everyone's surprise it’s Rogers and Out of his mind decided to declare.

So we needed 300 off minimum of 46 overs. Don't go for it!  We can have a valuable draw I can relax in the sun for a while catch an early train home and thank you Taunton for a lovely few days.

Cheers Harvey

First over with four slips under pressure we sneak a single . Big Harv and i chant "we are closing In on your target," very much tongue in cheek. Robbo was being dominant but at 3 an over really too much to do. The turning point was Robbo's dismissal. Mala promoted, first 3 balls all 4s through 3rd man. There was a dot then next 2 balls 4s from Gubbo. Suddenly all fielders are on boundary but this didn't stop boundary fest. Overton was losing it and visibly showed dissent as was adjudged for wides. However, he thought he had last laugh when he spectacularly caught Mala running in from boundary edge. It's now 108-2 from17 we still have a chance. Gorgeous George next in but was a 4 and out. Franco then seemed happy to consolidate with Gubbo finding boundaries hard to find. When Franco was out felt this might be good news but Simmo appeared to have no intent to move score on as there appeared a further stalemate of leaving balls wide off of stump. At this stage a number of Middlesex contingent who had been there 4 days started to leave. I decided I would aim for 6.33 train home as game meandering out.  There was a point we needed around about 170 off of 20 overs and Gubbo started to move it on a tad but when he was out I really thought was definitely game over and lets block for a draw.  

Fuller next in and he could play only one way and was regularly clearing the boundary. A turning point a clear nick caught behind celebrating, no idea why it wasn't  given. This reprieve was followed by carnage on par with Scarborough one 6 ended up in the river.  We needed just below 110 from 10. This run rate was declining per over and we needed 37 from 5 and still only five wickets down. Vermin Corner were chanting seriously "We are closing in on the target"  Allenby and Leach slowed things up. And then 2 wickets in an over from Leach with 5 overs left. 3 overs to go another Eski gone.  We can lose from here. 

Moving on from many anxious moments off every ball , which I can't recall. We need 5 runs off 3 balls. There’s a7-2 field with the long leg side boundary well covered.  Simmo just drop you bat on it and run a quick 2. I was ignored a massive 6 over the longest boundary in the ground. Wild celebrations ensued by the 5 who remained in Vermin Corner.

Happy birthday SImmo who also took 9 catches in the match.