The lengthening shadows of September brought down the curtain on another first class cricket season at the County Ground, and for followers of the Cidermen there is nothing left other than to reflect on the season past and look forward to better things ahead in 2003.

The club may have been relegated in both the County Championship and the NUL, but there was a breathtaking victory over Kent in the semi final of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy when against all odds Somerset won themselves a place in the Lord's final, where despite disappointment in defeat was hard not to enjoy the occasion.

There were also some memorable performances. Ian Blackwell's hundred in the only championship victory of the season when he bludgeoned a Yorkshire attack which included several England bowlers is one that comes to mind. Incidentally, that was the last time that Marcus Trescothick played a four day game for the county.

England boss Duncan Fletcher's presence at the Yorkshire match probably played a major part in `Blackies' selection for the ICC Trophy where he made a considerable impact to earn a call up for the one day squad to play in Australia, as well as a place in the Academy `Down Under'this winter, and everybody is delighted for him. The only down side for supporters is that if he becomes an England regular we will see less of him at the County Ground.

Matthew Wood has come of age and those who were fortunate to watch him fall tantalisingly close to a double century against Kent, only missing out to the finger tips of David Masters will know that he is a talent that we will be watching for many years to come.

Paceman Simon Francis has also developed considerably during the season after being thrown in at the deep end early on through injury to the established bowlers. Indeed it was the former Hampshire man who turned the semi final match against Kent with a superb run out that will be talked about for many years to come.

Keith Parsons played a vital part in the C and G run, and was quite rightly named `Man of the Match' in the quarter final against Worcestershire when he played a superb innings and took vital wickets.

Matt Bulbeck happily returned to the first class scene and played a full season for the first time for several years, and showed that he was back to his old form taking a career best in the final game against Lancashire.

Sadly the side has suffered more than it's fair share of injury in 2002, compared to last year when the whole season was virtually injury free, and this has resulted in key players being missing at vital times.

Away from the first team Somerset Under 19's won the ECB Two Day competition when they beat Hampshire in one day, and Neil Edwards has been selected to go to Australia this winter with England Under 19's, all of which has to be good for the future of the club.

No it wasn't all bad this summer, and when the 2003 season gets underway in 193 days time there will no doubt have been some changes, but the same fanes who witnessed the relegations in 2002 will all be back at the County Ground to follow the fortunes of their beloved Somerset and looking forward to getting involved in promotion battles.

© SOMERSET