PHILINFRANCE

Ant the Somerset official site appears to be down.

Quite an impressive last over (27runs!) from our old favourite, Colin Ingram....

5 down now, at 8 an over with three to go (140/5). Curious, as you say, that the last 5 overs are 27/4 at 5.4. Also of concern is that there is still no sign of Steve Davies - probably his last season here.

Calm Down. The run rate is now down (?) to under 10 an over, with three wickets down.

I 'met' Alan Ball back in the 1970s when he was training with England at Ashton Gate prior to a Home Nations match away to Wales in Cardiff. Just like you, I was somewhat starstruck, but the late Alan Ball, accompanied by the also sadly-departed Ralph Coates, put me at ease, and both were more than happy to answer my inane, schoolboy questions about life as an international footballer: sadly, my abiding memory of that meeting remains Alan Ball's high-pitched voice. As I recall, he died as a result of a heart attack trying to extinguish a bonfire in his garden.

Credit, where credit's due. I thought they had thrown it away, but Well Done in the end - a 6 to win it with two balls left.

All Out. 48 from 8 overs! Just in case anybody is interested in the finale before Somerset start in Cardiff.... https://www.gloscricket.co.uk/news/watch-live-gloucestershire-v-leicestershire-live-stream/

Certainly hotting up now - just 1 wicket left, 40ish ahead with 13 overs still to go (less the 2 overs for the innings change).

If @TomF has a few minutes to spare, he might care to read the last two pages of the Yorks/Somerset thread on Grockles, where his old friend AGOD is demonstrating a rare pessimism, even by his standards, about Somerset's chances of winning the Championship,

Jack Leach took three wickets in the second innings.

There's the first bowling point - and 400 wickets for TG!

That has frequently been Somerset!

I was just about to say you should have some faith in the promising Hildreth/Banton partnership, when Tom Banton gives his wicket away! Still, 46/3 is a start.

I understand your negative feelings about New Road, but it really is one of the most picturesque grounds in County Cricket; almost as pretty as The County Ground at Taunton ?. The entire ground staff have always been extremely friendly and accommodating whenever I have been there and it is just a short walk in to the town should there be a lengthy delay due to rain or whatever - plus no hassle going in and out of the ground.

Hampshire are certainly a major threat, but don't overlook Essex. Sir Alastair Cook is still batting as well as ever and their bowling attack of (S) Cook, Siddle, Porter and Harmer remains a threat to any team, particularly in these early season conditions.

I think you will find, @Monkeh, that the 97% wages spend relates to all staff, i.e. including back room staff etc., so is unlikely to incur sanctions.

Perhaps, but he played quite well against us at Ashton Gate in a Cup game one evening....

I can live with the hope....it's

Only last year, no less a judge than Adam Gilchrist rated Sarah Taylor as the best wicketkeeper, male or female, in international cricket.

Yorkshire and Essex only drew, thus extending our lead at the top. Kent away on Monday, Hants away to Notts and Yorks away to Surrey.

Probably more like three horses, in my opinion: Hampshire look good, although will be missing both Vince and Dawson for the next few matches. Essex appear strong, although seem to be heading for a draw today. Finally, and I appreciate this makes an extra horse, as an outsider, and although weakened as ever by England call-ups (though strengthened by a certain Dominic Bess!), Yorkshire can never be ruled out.

I appreciate that the large lady has probably yet to even leave her seat, but I hope that Messrs. @TomF, @ralphindevon and @Super are more relaxed this morning than they seemed to be yesterday evening. I tend to agree with @phantom that there appears to be some resilience and 'never say die' attitude in the team this year - the baby-faced, almost cherubic looking Tom Abell would seem to be a bit harder than he looks. Now 7 wickets down, and perhaps thoughts may be turning to claiming the extra half hour - if the match is not already completed by lunch. Edited to note that, whilst our old friend Mr Batty has long gone, our other friend, Rikki Clarke, is now facing.

Rovers' accounts don't appear to have been mentioned on here for some time now, but I noticed this earlier and thought it quite amusing:

A low scoring match between Yorks and Hants, although the latter have now got a batting point. They are currently off for rain - a rain-affected draw would be nice, especially if Warwickshire can hold Surrey to a draw or even produce a rare win.