On Thursday, just two days before the Cidermen take on Yorkshire in the 2002 final of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy at Lords, the Somerset Board XI face Cornwall in the first round of the 2003 competition.

The Board XI, who were unlucky to miss out against Norfolk at the end of last year will be hoping to beat the Minor County side, and if they are successful on Thursday they will play the Wales Minor County team.

Success against Wales will ensure that Somerset Board XI a tie against a first class county in the third round which will be played next season.

Board XI manager Peter Robinson has named team combining experience with youth for the match at Camborne, several of whom will have played earlier in the week for Somerset Under 19's in their semi final against Essex at Uxbridge.

The Board XI team will be; Tom Webley, Kevin Parson (capt), Wes Durston, Arul Suppiah, Michael Coles, Kevin Sedgebeer, James Hildreth, Alistair Garnsworth, Gareth Andrew, Matt Dimond and Michael Parsons.

Peter Robinson told me: "We are taking a strong side down to Cornwall, and we will be hoping to win to progress to the next round. Over the next few days there are several big matches and my ideal way to end the season would be for the Under 19's to win their semi final, the Board XI to win on Thursday, Somerset win the C and G on Saturday, and then the Under 19's win their final at Bristol next week."

© SOMERSET