Ben Green - Picture: Pinnacle Photo Agency

BEN Green showed why Somerset are so keen on him by hitting a match-winning 57 not out as Exeter won on the chase by three wickets at North Devon.

Green, along with Exeter club-mates Dom Bess and Ollie Sale, played in Somerset’s T20 side for the first time against Hampshire on Friday night.

Ben Green - Photo: www.ppauk.comAlthough Somerset lost heavily, director of cricket Matt Maynard said England U19 all-rounder Green was the ‘stand-out debutant’ in the match.

Green and Bess, another England U19 squadman, then raced back to Instow on Saturday morning to play for Exeter against North Devon.

And both had roles to play as North Devon were held to 201 for eight, which Exeter knocked off with nearly three overs to spare.

North Devon started inauspiciously with their first two out for 20 and Max Curtis off being treated for a direct hit on the box. Forty-six for thre when opener Dan Bowser went lbw to Bess was hardly an improvement.

Ben Mason (40) and Ross Clayton (21) put on 62 for the fourth wicket in a stand that ended when the latter was snaffled by Bess.

Curtis returned for a couple of balls and was bowled by Ben Abrahams, leaving North Devon 105 for nine.

North Devon only got as far as 201 for eight thanks to a dogged knock 49 not out by Steff James.

Josh King made 23 in even time as the home side picked up the tempo at the end.

Blake Reed picked up two late wickets for figures of three for 34. Bess bowled immaculately for three for 22 from 10 overs

Exeter stuttered and stammered at first with Matt Westaway (2-33) pegging them back

At 85 for four with Somerset’s Alex Barrow just out for 31 to James, Exeter were in do-or-die territory.

Bess (34) and Green made in roads only for Bess to fall to Jack Gibbs on his Premier debut.

Green batted steadily to ensure there were no slip-ups and was accompanied by former Somerset staffer AlfonsoThomas in a critical stand of 43.

Exeter went past Exmouth into third place on the strength of their win, but are 47 point behind the leaders and the best they can hope for is probably runners-up.