By Somerset's Richard Walsh

Somerset’s links with Cornwall cricket are growing ever stronger and over the course of the winter months Paul Tweddle  (assistant coach/ fielding) has been regularly spending time in Truro working with the emerging boys and girls in the Duchy.

In addition to these visits Lewis Goldsworthy has been part of the Potential Somerset Player Programme and training alongside the Somerset Academy cricketers on a number of Sundays through the winter at the Centre of Excellence and a group of promising young spin bowlers spent a session at Taunton.

Commenting on the way that the link with Cornwall has been developing Jason Kerr the Head of Talent Development and  Bowling Coach at Somerset CCC said: “Things have gone really well and the relationship this winter has been really fantastic. Every Thursday Paul Tweddle and support coach Charlie Vickery have been travelling down to work on their Emerging Player Programme at Truro College which has been a resounding success.

“Tweds has interacted well with the boys and girls on the programme and the coaches (Pete Bolland EPP Head Coach) who have been working on it and the feedback both ways has been very positive. Sadly these visits have come to an end now as we need all of our resources back here with the season coming closer.

“However we will look to continue with this link next winter and keep the relationship going in several capacities this summer as well. All in all it things could really have gone much better for us.”

Talking about Lewis Goldsworthy who is on the Potential Somerset Player Programme, Jason said: “The feedback we have had is that they have seen a dramatic improvement in his performances back in Cornwall, he has been excellent while he has been here  maximising his opportunities with us and we look forward to seeing him performing in the summer.

“The players on the PSPP will be playing in some of the games we have arranged for the development squad this summer as well as which we have reintroduced Under 19s cricket this summer so there is an opportunity for Lewis to represent Somerset as well as Cornwall this season. We will also get the chance to watch him play down in Cornwall this season as part of our talent development programme.

“We are also trying to expand our talent scouting network at present to make sure we have more of a presence in the south west this summer which if we can do and identify youngsters then there will certainly be opportunities for them to play.”

Reflecting on his winter input in Cornwall, Paul Tweddle said: “The link has gone very well indeed. It has been a great opportunity to go down and work with the talent that there is in Cornwall and the relationship that we have built up with the coaching staff down there- Pete Bolland and Tim Marrion have been really positive.

“Having Lewis involved with our PSPP has been good and worked really well for everybody. To have him here and experience the environment at Taunton every three weeks has given him a flavor of what we are all about and he has fitted in very well.”

Tweds added: “During the summer we will be looking to move this relationship forward and we hope to have the chance to go and watch Lewis and the other youngsters playing and catch up with the age group coaches there as well.”

Summing up Jason said: “If you look at the evolving relationship that we have with Cornwall cricket you have to say that it has been a resounding success and we have got plans to move it further forward in the future so it is really exciting.”