What a season! That’s all I can say about it really, writes Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman Steve Davies.

It looked like we might not even get the chance to play in 2020 but, as I write this, we are on the way home from Lord’s having just lost a First Class final by the narrowest of margins.

It was a disappointing way to finish the season but, when the emotions have died down a bit, we will all look back on this season with a sense of real pride.

Hopefully, our amazing members and supporters will feel the same way.

Although we are desperately disappointed and frustrated at losing out to Essex, the lads should all hold their heads up high because in the face of adversity they have performed extraordinarily well this year.

To go unbeaten throughout the red-ball campaign and not take home the trophy is a little hard to swallow, but you have to congratulate Essex at the end of the day.

Sir Alastair Cook’s innings was outstanding and was probably the difference between the sides.

Although we are disappointed, there is a tremendous sense of optimism in the camp, too, following the emergence of some genuinely talented young players this season across the formats.

The likes of Tom Lammonby, Will Smeed and Lewis Goldsworthy have shown that they are more than capable of holding their own in the 1st XI, Ben Green, George Bartlett and Eddie Byrom have cemented their status in the team, and it was great to see Ollie Sale come back from injury this year too.

Tom Abell and Lewis Gregory once again both led by example and some of the older boys like Jack Brooks, James Hildreth and myself did okay here and there!

I’ve said it before in these pages, but to have the best seat in the house to see our attack in action was a real privilege this year and they are only going to get better. That’s a frightening prospect!

Now we have a long winter ahead of us - it’s a chance to recharge the batteries after a pretty intense two months.

I’m already looking forward to pre-season and hopefully we can give our supporters what they deserve in 2021... some silverware!

Until next time, stay safe, look after each other, and hopefully we will see you at the Cooper Associates County Ground in the near future.