Ilminster's Lachlan Rice made an impressive debut for Somerset Seconds in their defeat to Essex in the Second XI Championship.

Despite a valiant performance, the visitors who emerged victorious, winning by a margin of seven runs.

Rice, a member of the Somerset Pathway, showcased his cricket talent which he usually plays in his home town for the West of England Premier League (WEPL).

The first-year sixth-form student at Richard Huish College last year represented the county's Under 18s team and spent the winter months training at the Centre of Excellence at the Cooper Associates County Ground.

In the encounter, Essex batted first and were all out for 215.

Somerset followed and were all out for 233.

Rice's performance included an opening partnership of 49 with Jack Leach, who made 28.

The young hometown hero further shared three partnerships and accrued a personal total of 42 from 90 balls before being the fourth to fall with the total at 117.

During Essex's second batting, they were bowled out for 256.

For Somerset's second innings, the home team required a total of 238 for victory.

Rice contributed 25 from a 90-minute stint at the crease, with 54 added alongside Leach.

Lower down on the order, ‘keeper Mumford and Josh Thomas made commendable contributions of 48 and 47 respectively.

Unfortunately, Somerset fell just shy of the target.