McManus Scores Superb Ton in T20 Double-Header at Taunton

Somerset:

R Davies, E Byrom, T Abell, A Barrow+, H Thomas, M Waller*, MA Leask, H Sargent, D Rhoda, R Gamble, S Snell

Hampshire:

Jake Goodwin, Lewis McManus+, Aaron West, Joe Weatherley*, Fraser Hay, Ben Duggan, Andy Gorvin, Harry Hovey, Duncan Selmes, James Tomlinson, Brad Wheal

Lewis McManus' impressive knock of 118, which inlcuded three sixes and four boundaries from 62 balls, was undoubtedly the highlight of Hampshire Second XI's balanced T20 double-header against Somerset Second XI at Taunton.

Hampshire were defeated by 57 runs in the first match, before McManus supplied a superb knock in the second fixture to secure a 42-run victory over Somerset.

Somerset were too strong with the bat in the first match, led to 221-4 by half-tons from Ryan Davies (51) and Adam Hose (72), after Brad Wheal dismissed captain Tom Abell (18) in the fourth over.

Hampshire Second XI skipper Joe Weatherley removed Davies and Josh McCoy ended Hose's fine knock either side of Michael Leask's 44-run innings, which would ultimately put the game beyond Hampshire's reach.

Jake Goodwin batted excellently for Hampshire though, hitting 41 runs off 31 balls to settle the visitors, who lost Josh McCoy (2) in the second over and Aaron West in the third over.

When Weatherley was removed for seven runs in the fifth, Hants required some resolve from their middle order.

Andy Gorvin and Fraser Hay - both highly capable run-scorers - took Hampshire to 142-7, and Hay's double-quick innings of 44 runs off 19 balls was particularly eye-catching, including three sixes and four boundaries.

Duncan Selmes and James Tomlinson took Hants to 165-9, but the visitors were 57 runs short of Somerset's formidable total.

The second game will live long in the memory of McManus, and all who witnessed his magnificent 118 runs off 62 balls. 

His opening partnership with Goodwin (3) only lasted 9 balls, but the wicket-keeper batsman would go on to make a speedy century, remaining unbeaten in the middle.

West helped Hampshire push on from 7-1 to 104-2 by hitting 44 runs off 30 balls, and Hay usefully added 25 as the visitors finished on 204-6.

Having been unable to affect the game with the bat, Goodwin (3-32) produced an exemplary performance in the field.

Hampshire had instant success with the ball, as Brad Wheal found an edge from Davies with the first delivery of the innings, McManus catching behind the stumps.

Byrom hit 32 off 13 balls to put Somerset's batsmen into a stronger position and the home side were 57-1 when Abell (23) retired hurt.

Goodwin then went to work with the ball, dismissing Barrow (18), Leask (23) and Sargent (0), and running to Thomas (8).

Wheal Smartly caught and bowled R Gamble for his second wicket, and James Tomlinson took his second - Rhoda on 7 - having removed Byrom when he was in full flow.

Somerset finished on 162 all out after 18 overs, unable to find a reply to McManus' incredible knock, as Hampshire sealed a 42-run victory.