David Willey struck 77 from 43 balls to guide Northamptonshire 2XI to a five-wicket win over Somerset 2XI at Campbell Park.

In a game where rain delays were constant, the 2XI wrapped up victory at around 5:30pm after the game started at 11:30am.

The 2XI won the toss and chose to bowl, with Willey taking the new ball as preparations ramp up for the start of the Vitality Blast.

There was a breakthrough in the powerplay as Dom Leech had Linnitt caught by Willey for 12.

Liam Guthrie picked up the next wicket in the over after the powerplay finished, as Roberts feathered through to Stuart van der Merwe and departed without scoring.

Rain halted proceedings for half an hour in the 8th over but the 2XI looked to make quick inroads as play returned but more rain threatened. Gus Miller struck in the 10th over as Hill miscued one to Dom Leech but two overs later the players headed off for rain again with Somerset 2XI 82/3.

Eckland and Michael accelerated the scoring when the players came back out as the pair shared a 104-run partnership before Eckland was caught in the deep by Gus Miller off the penultimate ball of the innings. Somerset 2XI finished their innings on 165/4, with Willey, Guthrie, Miller and Leech taking a wicket apiece.

Ricardo Vasconcelos and Justin Broad opened up as the Steelbacks began their reply. The pair looked to start quickly but they both fell in the powerplay, with Vasconcelos departing for 16 off 11 and Broad 28 from 15.

Willey and Louis Kimber took Northamptonshire to 53/2 at the end of the opening six overs. Kimber unfortunately fell the following over to a good diving catch from Addy.

Another shower arrived around the halfway mark of the innings with the Steelbacks 74/3. After Miller fell in the 11th over, Rob Keogh joined Willey looking to up the rate and push the Steelbacks towards victory.

The pair looked assured at the crease, putting on a 50 partnership from just 27 balls. Willey hit four 4s and five 6s before he eventually departed in the 18th over for 77. The damage was already done and Keogh and van der Merwe saw the Steelbacks home with 11 balls to spare.

The 2XI are back in action tomorrow where the face the South Asian Cricket Academy at the cinch County Ground for two T20’s.