- The Coopers Associates County Ground -
There's a bittersweet aspect to this sporting getaway - it's great that we'll be watching cricket once more but sadness that Mr B Senior isn't there to share the experience with us this year. Nevertheless, Taunton beckons and the M5 motorway is no match for the trusty Beardsmobile as our Sunday morning drive to Somerset is completed in time for us to take our seats without missing a single ball. The hosts have won the toss and elected to field, meaning Warwickshire need to negotiate a tricky morning session of perilous batting. Things aren't looking good at 40/4 but Will Rhodes and Ed Barnard stabilise the innings nicely.
- Pretorius marks out his home turf -
Although Rhodes (63) and Barnard (92) would subsequently depart the crease, the Bears' first day batting star is undoubtedly wicket-keeper Michael Burgess whose entertaining 126 not out leaves us handily placed on 373/8 at the close. Of the Somerset bowling attack, the standout performer is Migael Pretorius with four wickets to his name - in the lead-up to the General Election, it seems rather appropriate to spot his initials 'MP' scrawled onto the grass when inspecting the outfield during the lunch interval.
- Somerset Cider in The Plough -
The conclusion of play has us heading to the Taunton North Premier Inn to perform checking-in formalities at our hotel, timing our arrival so as to witness England's remarkable Euro 2024 recovery against Slovakia. Taunton's town centre pubs are predictably busy with relieved yet celebratory football fans but we manage to grab a Wetherspoons bite to eat before sampling two contrasting pubs on Station Road. The Ale House seems very friendly and has the added attraction of stocking Thatcher's Cheddar Valley Cider (so orange it looks like liquid rust), while the Plough opposite is a classic free house arranged over multiple split levels. More cracking cider here is the perfect way in which to settle into the Somerset way of life!
- Burgess's Batting Brilliance -
The match resumes on Monday morning but we've barely seen one over when a squall sets in and wipes out the rest of the morning session - not quite what the gathered throng of excitable pupils coming along for Schools Day would have wanted. Things thankfully soon dry up for the afternoon, meaning Warwickshire can progress to 412 all out (Burgess the last to fall for 147). The home reply threatens to unravel at 57/3 until the combined Toms - Abell and Banton - put on a century stand. Three late scalps for the mighty OHD (Oliver Hannon-Dalby) swing the game back in Warwickshire's favour, Somerset closing on 208/6 over 200 runs behind.
- A Chip Shot (minus seagull entourage) -
Monday evening for me and Stephen means an encounter with Howard's chip shop, feasting on a generous portion of potatoey goodness but attracting the attentions of the native seagulls in the process. We manage to placate a couple of said birds but when more of their friends start to swoop down we know we need to eat up quickly! The Brewhouse arts complex beside the River Tone is close to Taunton's Independent Quarter where there are a range of giftshops and boutiques worthy of closer investigation. Mr B does precisely that across the week and comes up trumps with a range of cricketing birthday cards for his personal collection.
- London Pride in The Cricketers -
Having narrowly avoided recreating Hitchcock's The Birds in seagull form, we decamp to our chosen pub which in this particular instance is the Cricketers on Taunton High Street (with a name like that it simply had to be done). Inflatable footballs and strings of Euro flag bunting raise our hopes of watching the evening kick-off but their weekly quiz is underway instead, hence we find ourselves trying to remember the name of Postman Pat's cat (Jess) rather than keeping abreast of Portugal versus Slovenia. Stephen's Peppa Pig knowledge really comes to the fore at one stage whereas I'm more in tune with some 1980s music questions.
- Taunton Railway Station -
And so onto Tuesday 2nd July whereby my morning constitutional stroll takes me by the way of Taunton railway station, a sizeable provincial facility that befits county town status. A survey of the outbuildings has me admiring architectural flourishes while the Great Western Hotel is something of a looker in its own right. Trains run regularly between London Paddington and key South West destinations such as Bristol Temple Meads, Exeter St Davids, Plymouth and Penzance. Other landmarks being captured on camera include St Andrew's Church with its associated school nearby, and a Tesco Express store housed in the ex-Gardeners Arms.
- Towards the Ondaatje Pavilion -
Reclaiming our seats in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion - one of several stands named after legendary Somerset players - we enjoy early breakthroughs courtesy of Michael Booth with Abell unable to add to his overnight 61. OHD takes care of the tail in securing excellent figures of 6 for 56 before a productive opening partnership from Rob Yates and captain Alex Davies sees Warwickshire to 100 without loss. Both players depart in quick succession but the Bears lead continues to mount, aided by further contributions from Rhodes (36), Sam Hain (a rather painstaking 43) and Jacob Bethell, who played many eyecatching strokes in his enterprising 66. Stephen would have liked a cheeky declaration to give the home side a few evening overs to survive although 281/8 means we are over 400 runs ahead. Things are looking good!
- The Somerset Inn -
Our second Wetherspoons meal of the week precedes a backstreet gem of a place which we hadn't previously had the pleasure of frequenting. Situated mid-terrace on Alfred Street, the Somerset Inn is in many ways just a homely average boozer with a largely local clientele. Pub games are the main attraction here, especially the skittle alley which is getting a lot of use on this particular occasion; every so often we hear loud yelps of celebration emanating from the rear quarters, presumably because someone has scattered the nine pins with a well-directed cheese. We're however content just watching the Turkey vs Austria Euro 2024 clash over a pint or two of lemonade and blackcurrant or Thatcher's Cider - simple pleasures!
- The Run Chase Gathers Momentum -
Hopes are high on Wednesday as we get our tickets zapped in for the final day of play at the Coopers Associates County Ground. As Mr B had demanded, the Bears have indeed declared on their existing 281/8 thus setting Somerset a fairly hefty 410 runs to win. Messrs Umeed and Kohler-Cadmore set out briskly but we're still confident at 77/2 and 144/3. Alas that's about as good as it gets for Warwickshire, with first innings mainstays Abell and Banton once again getting into their batting groove. Even Banton's dismissal for 81 can't derail the Somerset charge, and it's highly fitting that Abell secures victory by hitting a massive six, posting his personal best first class score of 152 not out as the Bears are vanquished. Disappointed as we are to lose, you have to applaud a well-judged chase that took the match the distance.
- Bathpool Canal Cottage -
Licking our wounds, we drown our sorrows over in Priorswood, a housing estate north of the town centre where the Waggon flat-roofer almost deafens us with its MTV coverage of David Guetta's greatest hits. Mr Beardsmore delivers his cricketing postmortem yet remains very confident that Warwickshire will avoid any relegation struggles - I'll reserve judgement on that matter for now - then the final act of our five day stay sees me indulging in an early Thursday canal stroll to Bathpool Swingbridge and Bridgwater Road (Bridge 29), making the most of the lovely morning sunshine. Win or lose it's been a pleasure to be watching cricket again so here's hoping we get to see a bit more before the season is out. Come On You Bears!
