Somerset's Derby Dominance: Goldsworthy and Smeed Seal Honours

Lewis Goldsworthy’s career-best 4 for 13 led Somerset to a commanding six-wicket win over arch-rivals Gloucestershire in the Vitality Blast South Group derby at Bristol, as they exacted revenge for last year’s defeat in style. 🔥 Match Summary 🏏 Gloucestershire Innings – 135/7 (20 overs) Jack Taylor stood tall amid a faltering innings with a fighting 43 off 29 balls* (6 fours, 1 six). After a solid start from Bancroft (26) and Hammond (36), Gloucestershire crumbled: Opening stand: 54 in 8 overs Collapse: 21 runs for 5 wickets The game turned in the 9th and 10th overs: Ben Green dismissed Bancroft with a spectacular catch by Riley Meredith. Goldsworthy ran riot in the 11th: Hammond caught at long-off Ollie Price and D’Arcy Short fell to poor shot selection Ben Charlesworth gifted a return catch Figures: 4-0-13-4 — a match-defining spell. Aside from Taylor, no batter crossed 40, with Meredith and the rest of the Somerset attack applying disciplined pressure throughout. 🔁 Somerset Innings – 137/4 (17.4 overs) Chasing 136, Somerset suffered an early blow as Tom Banton was trapped lbw for 0 by David Payne. But Tom Kohler-Cadmore (27 off 17) and Will Smeed (51 off 41)* quickly put the chase back on track: Kohler-Cadmore hit towering sixes and took on Ajeet Dale and Akhter with intent. Smeed anchored the chase with class, bringing up his half-century with ease and guiding Somerset home. Somerset reached the target with 14 balls to spare, consolidating their position as unbeaten group leaders with five wins from five. ⭐ Key Performers Lewis Goldsworthy – 4/13 (career-best) Will Smeed – 51* (41 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) Jack Taylor – 43* (29 balls) – lone resistance for Gloucestershire Ben Green & Riley Meredith – critical support acts with ball and in the field 📊 Points Table Impact Somerset remain top of the South Group, unbeaten and looking like early title contenders. Gloucestershire will rue the middle-order collapse and need a quick turnaround to stay in the hunt. 🗣️ Post-Match Takeaway This was a clinical revenge act by Somerset — dominant with both ball and bat. Goldsworthy’s spin wizardry and Smeed’s cool head ensured Gloucestershire never got back into the game after a promising start.