Game One

Half-centuries for Tom Alsop (63*) and Joe Gatting (54) steered Hampshire Second XI to a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Somerset Second XI in the opening T20 match at Taunton Vale.

An efficient all-round performance from all of Hampshire’s bowlers had initially reduced Somerset to 142-7 from their allotted overs, with Brad Wheal (2-13) and Tom Barber (2-33) both taking two wickets each.

Hampshire never looked in trouble in their reply as openers Alsop and Gatting contributed heavily in the chase that concluded in less than 18 overs.

After losing the toss and asked to bat first Somerset began shakily as the loss of early wickets made things difficult the hosts, Wheal the man to cause the early damage with two wickets in as many overs.

Barber then struck also with two wickets in quick succession, whilst a wicket too for seamer Basil Akram (1-29), left the home-side struggling further in their efforts to post a competitive score at 88-5.

The home-side battled through to finish 142-7 to close their opening batting effort, but with a positive start from the Hampshire opening pair saw the visitors reach 100 without loss from just 11 overs.

Both Gatting and Alsop brought up their half-centuries at less than a run a ball, and despite the former falling with 44 runs required, Alsop steered Hampshire safely to their required target with more than two overs to spare.

Game Two

An incredible display of hitting from Joe Gatting (80) saw Hampshire blast their way to a three-wicket victory over Somerset in the second T20 match at Taunton Vale.

Gatting’s aggressive knock, which came off just 35 balls, saw Hampshire reach the required target from the penultimate delivery of the game, after Somerset had initially posted 175-9 from their 20 overs.

Brad Wheal (3-19) was the pick of the bowlers from an impressive Hampshire attack, before Gatting along with good support from Chris Wood (31*) saw the visitors home with a ball to spare.

The Somerset innings began in similar fashion to the previous fixture, with three early wickets for Wheal leaving the hosts in early first-innings trouble at 32-3.

A stylish innings from Scotland international Josh Davey (60) offered some resistance and the right-hander led the recovery to help Somerset reach a respectable first-innings total.

Hampshire began their reply positively, with Gatting inflicting the early damage with an array of impressively hefty blows.

The opener continued to impress with yet more big-hitting to see Hampshire reach a commanding 111-2 before he fell with 10 overs still remaining.

Needing just 65 runs from the final 60 balls, Hampshire soon faltered as the home-side’ bowlers fought back well to restrict the flow of boundaries, however a composed innings from Wood steered Hampshire to a thrilling victory in the final over to end perfectly timed chasing effort and ensure back-to-back T20 wins.