For the seventh time in their history, Somerset have ended the County Championship season as runners-up, prolonging their long wait for that elusive first title.
In a competition steeped in 136 years of tradition, Somerset remain one of just three counties to have never clinched the championship crown. Their history is one marked by consistent near-misses-time and again playing the role of bridesmaid, yet never the bride.
This year’s second-place finish adds to previous near-successes in 2001, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2018, and 2019, along with the runner-up position in the 2020 Bob Willis Trophy, which was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The club also secured third-place finishes in both 2024 and 2025. Given this record of strong performances, many hope that Somerset will triumph soon, though such hopes have been raised before.
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Unlike previous heart-breaking finishes, this season did not end in last-minute drama. Warwickshire secured the championship decisively, finishing 20 points ahead after winning their last four matches. Somerset’s final games saw a rain-affected draw against Surrey and a defeat to Yorkshire, proving costly in the title race.
The loss at Headingley stood out as a critical moment. Somerset led the table with two rounds remaining and seemed poised for a vital win as Yorkshire were 54-6 in their second innings, only narrowly ahead by 65 runs. However, a remarkable 176-run partnership between George Hill and Dom Bess turned the tide, and Somerset collapsed in their chase from 60-2 to being all out for 101.
This wasn’t the only occasion when Somerset let a winning position slip against Yorkshire; earlier at Taunton, after a first innings lead of 112 runs, they failed to chase 260 runs due to a poor third innings bowling performance, ending all out for 184.
Regretful moments also came in matches against Glamorgan and Sussex. Against Glamorgan, after a strong first innings lead, Somerset’s batting collapsed, allowing the Welsh county to chase down a target of 283, thanks largely to an extraordinary innings from ex-Somerset player Sean Dickson and a battling 50 not out from bowler Ryan Hadley.
In the encounters with Sussex, Somerset seemed dominant but were twice denied victory by rain interruptions, resulting in draws. Had these drawn matches been converted into wins, or certain losses into draws, Somerset might well have claimed the championship this season.
As 2026 concludes, the wait continues for Somerset, who now look ahead to their 137th County Championship campaign in 2027. Despite the frustration of repeated near-misses, the team remains buoyant and determined.
Reflecting on the season, Somerset captain Lewis Gregory said: “I don’t think there is a reason why we can’t get over the line other than it is a bloody difficult competition to win.
“We have some amazing cricketers in our squad and are heading in a great direction, with some young players who will be better for what they have done this season.
“We can look forward to next season with great confidence. The support we get is fantastic and this is a wonderful place to play cricket.”