With so much time in this match lost to the weather, accumulating bonus points was the name of the game on the final day of cricket for 2015 in Hove, which was looking resplendent in the September sunshine.
This was not a day of high-intense drama but no one who witnessed it could complain as Marcus Trescothick, for the second time in six days, cut, drove and pulled his way to a magnificent century and then on to a double century. For the second time in less than a week it was like watching Trescothick of old.
This was vintage Trescothick. He barely played and missed in the six-and-a-half hours he was at the crease. The pitch had turned into a bit of a shirt-front but the 39-year-old – who has just signed another contract that will see him stay at Taunton for at least another year – was involved in two century partnerships. The first was with James Hildreth, whose 68 kept him as leading run scorer in Division One, and the second an unbeaten 182 with Peter Trego. He finished unbeaten after a practically flawless innings of 210.
The required 400 came up just after tea from 94 overs and with the job of getting bonus points done, the Somerset captain stood tall and drove Luke Wells off the back foot for four to pass 200 – his sixth first-class double century – and to unanimous applause from the Hove support.
Trego’s impressive century was brought up with a pull for four and after his roar of celebration everyone shook hands and traded warm embraces with Trescothick and the retiring Michael Yardy.
Somerset taking maximum points from the draw have just inched above Sussex but with Hampshire losing in Southampton, both head into the final round feeling much more comfortable they will be playing Division One cricket next season.
This may not have been much of a match in cricketing terms but it was one for the romantics. A century for the retiring Yardy and a double century for the Somerset legend Trescothick. Both impressive men who have had to battle with depression and whose openness and honesty about it have helped others fight it, too.
And as Yardy’s children ran on the pitch and the Somerset players formed a guard of honour, a 15-year servant of Sussex cricket and a fine cricketer made his way off the Hove field for the very last time.
