Second ton for Lammonby as Somerset leave Worcestershire 245 to win

CENTURION Tom Lammonby carried his bat in an innings of top quality as Somerset set Worcestershire a 245 target in the Bob Willis Trophy Central Group top of the table encounter at Blackfinch New Road.

The 20-year-old Devon and Exeter opener mixed initial stubborn defence with increasing bursts of aggression before bringing up three figures in the grand manner with a six over long on off spinner Brett D’Oliveira out of 182-8.

Lammonby had taken 104 deliveries to reach 23 but accelerated to such an extent that he required only another 101 balls to score the further 77 required to achieve his chanceless hundred.

He ended unbeaten on 107 out of 193 all out with Ed Barnard picking up four wickets for the home side.

Lammonby broke into Somerset’s T20 side last summer but only made his first class debut last month in the Trophy and today’s sterling effort followed on from an unbeaten 101 against Gloucestershire at Taunton.

This was a far more significant contribution in the context of a Lord’s final spot being at stake and Worcestershire’s seamers regularly chipping away with wickets for much of the day in a see-saw contest. 

Lammonby received excellent support from the Somerset lower order in resuscitating an innings wobbling at 82-6 and with his side leading at that stage by only 133.

Somerset had resumed on 16-1 this morning and found it hard work with Worcestershire club captain Joe Leach setting the tone by having Tom Abell (7) caught behind from a fifth ball of the day outswinger. 

The opening 45 minutes produced only four singles before Ed Barnard made a double breakthrough.

George Bartlett (2) tried to work the ball to leg and was trapped lbw and Eddie Byrom (12) fell in the same manner after aiming a shot through mid wicket.

Lammonby greeted spinner Brett D’Oliveira’s introduction with a huge six over mid-wicket.but the leg spinner persevered and Steve Davies (14) paid the price for attempting an extravagant hit and was bowled.

It became two wickets in two overs for D’Oliveira as Craig Overton (2) played back and was bowled.

Somerset lunched on 90-6 but then Lewis Gregory (17) and Josh Davey (21) provided staunch support to Lammonnby during partnerships of 39 and 54 respectively

Gregory eventually perished to a fine catch by Jake Libby running back from cover off Dillon Pennington.

After Lammonby’s six off D’Oliveira took him to his hundred, Davey picked up three boundaries in the same over which cost 20 runs.

Another superb catch – this time by sub fielder Josh Dell at mid wicket – brought about Davey’s downfall off Barnard.

The innings was quickly wrapped up with Jack Leach (5) lbw to Barnard and Jack Brooks (1) caught behind off Pennington. Barnard finished with 4-25 from 17 overs.