Holloway returns to the Somerset side with a century against the Board XI

Somerset recorded another emphatic victory in their second pre-season warm up at the County Ground against the Somerset Board XI at the County Ground today.

Batting first the county side made 363 for 6 from their 50 overs, the feature of which was an opening stand of 178 between Piran Holloway (127) and Matthew Wood (58).

Cornishman Holloway, coming back into the side after missing half of last season with a shoulder injury, made an impressive return to the scene and included 5x6's and 16x4's in his innings during which he faced 178 balls.

Ian Blackwell also looked in good form as he raced to 70 off just 26 balls, and hit 3x6's and 10x4's.

In reply the Somerset Board XI were not overawed by their task, particularly the openers Tom Webley (69) and Kevin Sedgebeer (71) who put on 155 for the fourth wicket. Young left hander Webley looked particularly comfortable and included 12x4's in his innings.

At the end of their overs the Board XI had moved to 256 for 5 to give the Cidermen victory by 107 runs. By the close skipper Kevin Parsons had moved on to 54 and Arul Suppiah 25, having shared an unbeaten sixth wicket stand of 67.

Matt Bulbeck who had figures of 6 overs, 2 maidens 2 wickets for 5 runs was once again the pick of the Somerset bowlers.

After the match assistant coach Mark Garaway told me: "This was another professional performance today. It was good practice for all of and they stuck to their task well."

He continued: "It was good to see the staff boys who played for the Board XI all doing so well. Tom Webley and Arul Suppiah both batted well, and Pete Trego and Michael Parsons were the pick of their bowlers."

Tomorrow is press morning at the County Ground after which the Somerset players will listen to Academy Sports Psychologist Will James who will talk on the theme of 'winning after winning'.