Albert leads the way as Hampshire beat Somerset to seal second place

Newbury’s Toby Albert led the way as Hampshire beat Somerset by five wickets to seal second place in the County Championships.

The clash in Taunton got underway on Thursday last week, as the two met to determine who would finish as runners up, as Surrey had already sealed the title.

Somerset batted first, setting a reachable total of 136 from their first innings, largely thanks to Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s 63.

With the hosts bowled out, it was down to Albert to open Hampshire’s response.

He was certainly lacking in support, as fellow opener Fletcha Middleton went for nought, Nick Gubbins was caught on just five and star batsman James Vince was caught by Jack Leach for thirteen.

As Tom Prest went for a duck, Hampshire were reduced to 34-4 inside sixteen overs.

Still there however, was Albert.

Batting superbly through the collapse which surrounded him, he hit a mature and confident 77 to keep his side’s innings afloat.

Six fours and two sixes were the highlights of a patient innings, in which he faced 162 balls at a strike rate of 47.53.

He was caught by Kasey Aldridge with his side 149-7 after fifty overs, before the tailenders got them to 196 all out.

Somerset’s second innings was encouraging for the Hampshire squad, as they added just 180 to leave Hampshire a target of 121.

They reached this in just over twenty overs to win the match, with Albert ironically being caught out for a golden duck at the start of the second innings.