UNBEATEN centuries from Andy Umeed and Lewis Goldsworthy, plus a career best of 157 by Josh Thomas and a five wicket haul from Umeed, were the highlights of the Somerset Second XI’s nin-wicket victory over Essex in their friendly at Colchester.

With Somerset’s top order disappointing against Sussex at Hove, these performances have given the Cidermen’s selectors plenty to think about.

After choosing to bat first Essex had reached 295/ 5 in the 70th over when Umeed came into the attack and in the course of his five overs he conceded 14 runs and claimed five wickets before the hosts declared on 352/9.

When Somerset replied they slipped to 68/4 in the 16th over when Thomas was joined by ‘keeper Rew who was also skippering the team.

Between them the two Taunton youngsters, who learnt their trade at King’s College, Taunton St Andrews and on the Somerset Academy, added 119 for the fifth wicket before Rew was out for 79 which he scored off 57 balls with 10x4s and three x 6s.

Thomas added 103 for the sixth with Kean Roberts who hit 46 and 63 for the eighth with Alfie Ogborne who scored 39, before he was eventually last man out for 157 off 182 balls, which came off 182 deliveries and included 15 x4 and four 6s, as Somerset were all out for 391.

Batting for a second time Essex posted 356/6 declared, Joe Heywood taking 2/39 and Goldsworthy 2/41 off 20 overs.

Chasing a total of 317, the visitors lost Ben Church for 11 on 21, when Goldsworthy joined Umeed at the wicket. The pair remained together until they had seen Somerset to victory by nine wickets, Umeed ending unbeaten on 186 off 160 balls with 25x4 and 3x6 while Goldsworthy finished not out 107 from 153 deliveries with 11x4s and 2x6s.