Last-gasp Somerset seal stunning one-wicket win!

Tim Groenewald celebrates after hitting winning run.

An outstanding last wicket partnership of 31 between Jack Leach and last man Tim Groenewald saw Somerset nervously home against Surrey, who had victory stolen from their grasp as they could not find that elusive last wicket as Somerset made their way to their victory target of 301. Good contributions from Marcus Trescothick and Jim Allenby, who both made 56, as well as 44 from the bat of Peter Trego helped Somerset edge their way towards victory, but it was left to number eleven Groenewald to hit the winning run and seal the one wicket win. 
Surrey had been in a strong position at several points on what turned into the final day of the match but collapsed from 94-6 to 138 all out as Jamie Overton took four wickets. Surrey looked certain victors during the Somerset 2nd innings – wickets fell at regular intervals and when Stuart Meaker removed Trescothick and James Hildreth in the same over, Somerset were staring down the barrel at 92-3. Chris Rogers also fell cheaply for 28, to the youngster Tom Curran – but signs of life emerged when Jim Allenby and Trego put together 80 for the fifth wicket. Craig Overton, Allenby and then Ryan Davies all fall in quick succession after tea to put Somerset on the brink at 237-8. That brought together Jamie Overton, who made a quickfire counter attacking 29 including a six and 3 fours, and Leach who played sensibly on the turning pitch for his 24 from 88 balls to go with match figures of 8-97, but when Overton fell to a brilliant one-handed catch from wicketkeeper Ben Foakes 31 were still required and Gareth Batty was bowling well. Groenewald and Leach nurdled their way towards the victory target, reaching it largely in singles. At two runs required for victory, Matthew Pillans and Gareth Batty – who had taken a ten-wicket match haul – had the field up and a maiden at scores level from the experienced Batty had Somerset nerves jangling, as Surrey looked to salvage a tie. But it was left to Groenewald to drive it through the tight infield to strike the winning run and secure Somerset's first victory of the season following six draws in succession.

Written by Charlie Jennings (@AVCJX)