Bill Beaumont Cup 2009

After the previous two successful seasons the Senior County XV found the going very hard in the Premier Division of the County Championship, now known as the Bill Beaumont Cup. Despite holding home advantage for the two matches against Gloucestershire and Devon, the team struggled to find any consistency and lost both games. Added to this was a disappointing loss away to Cornwall, a team the County beat quite comprehensively on their last meeting in 2007.

On paper at least the County team looked a strong unit with over twenty players in the squad who had appeared in the previous year. Significantly, however, inconsistent availability of personnel meant that selection was not always straightforward and each game saw at least five or six changes to the side, due to injury or unavailability.

It is fair to say that with each game the team improved, with the first match against Gloucestershire being the low point. This game was viewed by all as a crucial one, in that having lost the previous year at home, Gloucestershire were always going to be looking for revenge. What revenge it turned out to be with the visitors winning by 60 points to 15. By half time the visitors had built up an unassailable lead of 39 points to 3 and although Somerset were much improved in the second half after making several changes, Gloucestershire ran out easy winners. As it transpired the Gloucestershire team went all the way to the final at Twickenham.

The second match, played at Redruth was lost by 38 points to nil, but the Cornish team was flattered by this score. In terms of possession and territory, Somerset dominated with 65 percent of both, but with Cornwall defending very well and more importantly taking their chances clinically, the game was out of reach for Somerset despite this possession and territorial advantage. On the positive side the forwards put in an altogether much improved performance, which raised hopes for the final match against Devon.

More enforced changes against Devon meant an uneasy start against a side which had also been defeated by previous opponents. Nevertheless this game became a much more even encounter with Somerset taking a slight lead into the halftime break. However taking advantage of a slight breeze and utilising the experience of their three-quarters, Devon eventually ran out winners by 37 points to 25.

In essence the sharpness of the Devon backs gave them an advantage which Somerset could not match. In the final analysis of the season, whilst the Somerset forwards in most respects, with one notable exception, matched the opposition, their three-quarters did not perform at the level which was necessary.

Next year the County Championship is to be re-vamped, with Somerset playing in the top echelon, but to date no details of the shape of the competition are available.

Somerset Saxons

On a more encouraging note the County introduced the Somerset Saxons team into its representative structure. The Saxons are to be chosen from those players not already in the first team squad, but who have shown an ability and consistency at club level warranting inclusion in the Somerset senior squad.

In their first fixture, the Saxons played Dorset and Wilts. who play in the County Plate competition. This fixture was a warm up match for the twin counties before they played in their county championship match the following week.

Played at Weston Super Mare, the Saxons, with representatives from thirteen clubs in Somerset, won this opening fixture 43 - 19. As a result of this success, players were promoted to the senior squad. Congratulations to Craig Owen (Old Redcliffians)  James Mackay (Weston Super Mare)  Neil Trevenna (Tor) and Leo Glass (Clifton). Next season it is hoped that the Saxons will play two fixtures.

Thanks must go to County coaches Clive Book and Johnny Gordon also the management team who supported the County and Saxons squad so well during the season and the clubs who gave full support to the County.

Finally, congratulations to the four Somerset players who were chosen to represent the England National Counties team; Mike Denbee, Stephen Pape, Wayne Sprangle and Chris Rolands.