Somerset coach dumbstruck at umpires decision

Somerset Sabres were beaten by the umpires decision at the County Ground today, where they lost to Glamorgan in the NUL by one wicket.

Batting first the Sabres had slipped to 40 for 4 before Mike Burns (51) and Matthew Wood (58) rescued the innings.

Graham Rose scored an invaluable unbeaten 20, including a six off the final ball to help the Sabres reach a respectable 220 for 9.

Rose then got Somerset off to a good start by removing Steve James in the first over, and then Steffan Jones removed Robert Croft and David Hemp in quick succession as the Dragons slumped to 20 for 3.

Matthew Maynard then hit some expansive shots to make a quick 36, and Adrian Dale(63) and Michael Powell (32) added 75 for the 5th wicket to put Glamorgan back into the game.

During the Glamorgan innings there were two interruptions for rain , which had reduced the target to 209 from 39 overs.

Over the last ten overs the game fluctuated in favour of both teams, but the visitors went into the last over requiring 12 runs with their last pair at the wicket.

However unknown to spectators the umpires had penalised Somerset six runs because of a slow over rate and the final pair saw Glamorgan home of the penultimate ball of the match.

After the game Kevin Shine told me: "I was dumbstruck, this is an unbelievable situation. I never thought that we were bowling slowly at any time. In fact Simon Francis was running back to his mark."

He continued: "A silly rule has brought about a sad finish to the game today. There were some excellent performances from some of our players, but that decision just tarnishes the outcome. Cricket was not allowed to run its course today and we are as sick as parrots."