Anderson reflects on a week of mixed fortunes for the Cidermen

After returning from his trip north of the border, Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson was back at the County Ground this morning where he reflected on a week during which the Cidermen enjoyed mixed fortunes.

As he looked out across at the heavy rain that was falling on the ground he told me: "Some of our supporters have expressed their emotions ranging from anger and rage to disappointment at our spectacular defeat by Scotland in the National Cricket League last week."

He continued: "Whilst they are disappointed so too am I, though the self same people seem to have completely forgotten about the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy match two days earlier when our victory was just as spectacular."

The Somerset boss went on: "Make no mistake losing to Scotland in the NCL was a shock to the system and they deserved it, so good luck to them. I don't think that Mike Burns and his team underestimated the opposition and sometimes in a shortened game one man can become a national hero, which is exactly what Ryan Watson did with his unbeaten 103 that contained 7 x 6's to help his side to victory."

"However looking on the positive side of things we are now through to the next round of the C and G where we entertain Surrey at Taunton on Wednesday May 28th. With the quality of the international players who will be on view in that match it is worthy of a cup final, and will be a game that nobody will want to miss," he said.

Judging by the large number of telephone and postal applications for tickets that the club has already received Somerset can look forward to a large crowd for the fourth round match, who will all be hoping for a repeat of the 1999 semi final, when the Cidermen were victorious thanks largely to the heroes of the day who were Jamie Cox and Keith Parsons.