ON a day when the Somerset top order batting disappointed again at Edgbaston, it was refreshing to see a young batter on the player pathway batting patiently and producing a career best 49 for the Seconds in their final match of the season, against Warwickshire at Taunton Vale.

Seventeen year old Jay Terry plays his club cricket for Taunton St Andrews and was making only his third appearance for Somerset Seconds. He opened the innings with Andrew Umeed and over the course of the next 16.4 overs scored 49 runs off 81 balls.

The left handed youngster’s innings included nine fours in a stay of almost two hours at the wicket, and during his time in the middle he shared in a fifth wicket partnership of 41 with Fin Hill after which he added 39 with Justin Broad before Terry was out making the total 114 for six.

Terry, who was born in Bristol started his schooling at Queens College in Taunton and whilst he was there joined Taunton St Andrews where he has played his club cricket ever since.

“Initially I just played age groups for the Saints but for the last couple of years I have played in the men’s teams,” he said.

“At the start of last year I found it quite tough stepping up to mens cricket for the Saints Seconds but this year I have been playing for the First team and I have just loved it.

Terry now lives in Shepton Mallet and attends King’s Bruton where he has been since the third form

“I think my best innings for the Saints this season has been against Taunton Deane where we ended up winning on Duckworth Lewis,” - although he fails to mention the 70 he scored opening the innings in the away win at Thornbury.

“I played my first game for Somerset Seconds against Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens which was a great experience.

“This season I have had a few big scores for the Somerset Under 18s but this is my first decent score for the Seconds this week - 49 on Monday. It was tough batting against Ryan Sidebottom, but I enjoyed being out there

“I started playing age group cricket for Somerset at Under 10s when Mark Davis brought me in and I have been involved ever since then. Joining the Saints has really helped me.

“Somerset Under 18s were away at Northants a few weeks ago and I got a couple of big scores (142 and 88), and I have had a couple of others this season as well.”

Jay who is 17 and currently on the Somerset Pathway Potential Somerset Player Programme has just gone into the Upper Sixth Form at King’s Bruton, where he has been since the third form and will be taking his A levels at the end of this school year.

Looking ahead, the youngster said: “There will be winter training over the next few months and then hopefully I will have another year playing with Somerset Under 18s and see where I can get.

“I have got a few options but there is nothing that I would like to do more than be playing cricket for Somerset.”