HISTORY will be made on Sunday when Somerset County Cricket Club’s first ever full time professional women’s team take the field against Lancashire at the County Ground.

This is the first home game in the Metro Bank One Day Cup 50 over competition for Somerset Women, who opened their account with an away match against Surrey at Beckenham.

Looking ahead Sophie Luff, the Somerset captain, said: “I guess I’m a little bit apprehensive about what’s to come but I think it’s more excitement than anything else. We have put in a lot of work this winter and this place is our home.

“Obviously I’m really excited about the prospect of playing here against Lancashire on Sunday and seeing how many people come and support us. Hopefully we hit the ground running and we start the season off on the front foot and I think we are in a really good place to do that.

“It still feels a little bit surreal, but I don’t think that anything will beat that feeling when we walk out here on Sunday against Lancashire. It’s something that I have dreamt about but never thought that it was a realistic possibility. I’m very excited about the opportunity that we have got in front of us to set the standard for Somerset Women and to move this club forward as a whole.”

The game on Sunday gets underway at 10.30pm and with the weather forecast set fair it is hoped that a good sized crowd will go along and support the home team.

Tickets for the match cost £12 on the day or £10 if purchased in advance, but for those intending to go along and watch most of the women’s games the best value is to purchase a Women’s Membership costing £45 for adults.

Meanwhile, Somerset’s Rothesay County Championship match against Hampshire at Utilita Bowl ended in a rain affected draw on Monday afternoon, a result that saw them slip to eighth position in the division one table.

After being put into bat Somerset lost Sean Dickson on 14 at which point Tom Lammonby joined Archie Vaughan who together added 55 for the second wicket before the young opener was out for 29.

Lammonby went for 36 with the total on 78 after which there was a clatter of wickets and they slipped to 96 for seven.

Jack Leach with 20 and Migael Pretorius who remained unbeaten 47 aided by a patient six not out from off 48 balls by Alfie Ogborne then fought a rear guard action to see the Cidermen to 184 all out.

When Hampshire batted they looked set for posting a big score at 243 for two but were bowled out for 336, Pretorius claiming five for 64 while Lammonby ended with three for 26.

Batting for a second time 152 in arrears openers Vaughan and Dickson added 50 before the former went for 24. Dickson and Lammonby put on 57 for the second wicket when Lammonby was out for 24.

The opener was then joined by Abell and the pair remained at the crease for the remained of the match which was eventually called off for bad light with Somerset on 163 for two.

Dickson ended unbeaten on 77 which came off 197 balls during a four hour stay in the middle while Abell ended not out 27.