St George's retain their title

St George's retained their Cup Match title with a seven-wicket win over Somerset in a match that, thankfully, contained none of the ugly scenes which marred last year's clash.

St George's, who won last year's match by a narrow 27 runs at their home ground, were always in command after rattling up 335 for 8 in 81 overs after being put in to bat at Somerset CC. The innings was built around a record fifth-wicket stand of 168 at a run-a-minute between Oliver Pitcher (98) and veteran Charlie Marshall (88). Pitcher cracked 15 fours and a six off 121 balls while Marshall hammered seven sixes and five fours during his 122-ball knock.

Somerset were then skittled for 179, with fast bowler George O'Brien taking 5 for 64, and they followed-on 156 in arrears. They slid to 94 for 5 before a late rally led by Janeiro Tucker (43) and Saleem Mukuddem (63) at least spared them the ignominy of an innings defeat. Delyone Borden took 7 for 121 over the two innings. St George's ambled to victory in 17 overs.

The last time St George's won the Cup in successive years was in 1968 and 1969. The match also made his history as the officials were brought in from overseas after the rows in 2005. Retired English Test umpires David Shepherd and Mervyn Kitchen were joined by Clive Lloyd, who acted as match referee.