Somerset Visually Impaired Cricket Club began their home campaign with a Knock Out Cup game against Yorkshire at the idyllic Wombats ground at Bishops Lydeard on Saturday.

The knockout cup is 30 overs a side and the home side chose to put a target on the board and pile pressure on the northern side.

After losing two wickets early on, skipper Ed Hossell came to the rescue and peppered the boundary to calm the Somerset nerves; three fours and a six in his rapid fire 29 before yet another catch was taken.

Opener Matt Davidson made an excellent 36, finding runs all around the ground and running well with Rob Crisp and Hossell before he departed.

Steve Cook blasted eight before being bowled, Kathryn Jelfs-White nurdled 28 before a juggling mid on catch and then Alan Mabey smashed 26 before just missing contact with one last heave and being bowled.

Sharnie Mabey and Adam White then stayed at the crease and batted out the 30 overs to see the home side to 180 for eight.

Yorkshire were then penalised for an exceptionally slow over rate as they well exceed the permitted two-and-a-half hours, resulting in their being T reduced to 26 overs and an additional 40 runs added to Somerset’s already decent looking score.

Somerset took to the field confidently and a good start ensued as the first wicket fell with only nine on the board, Hossell beginning his excellent afternoon with the ball before Mikey Contreras picked up the first of his wickets.

With 50 on the board the home side started to pick off the wickets rapidly as Ed Hossell ended with the impressive figures of four wickets for six runs while Contreras ended with two.

Eventually the visitors collapsed for 61 all out in less than 19 overs as the sun was slipping low in the sky. An impressive start for Somerset VICC in the KO Cup.