'Range Roverton' Goes In To Bat For Vertu And Somerset County Cricket Club
One lucky Somerset County Cricket Club fan enjoyed a special experience at the Vitality Blast T20 fixture with Glamorgan after clinching the top prize in a competition run alongside partners Vertu.
Award-winning automotive retailer Vertu, which operates Land Rover and Volvo dealerships within walking distance of the Taunton ground, provided the Club with a special RC Range Rover to deliver the ball to the umpire ahead of games in the Vitality Blast.
The car would prove to be a popular addition to the match day experience but was without a name. Until now.
A special competition run through Somerset CCC’s social media channels invited fans of the Club to suggest names for the car, before an independent panel of judges came together to determine a winner.
The winning entry – Range Roverton – was submitted by Ian Taylor in tribute to bowler Craig Overton, the England international who made his Somerset debut back in 2012 and has since gone on to take nearly 500 first class wickets.
As well as seeing the new name adorn the RC car prior to the start of the fixture with Glamorgan, Ian was tasked with driving Range Roverton out into the middle of the pitch to deliver the match ball before taking his seat to watch the game – which marked Overton’s 100th appearance in T20 competition.
Ian also picked up a limited edition Somerset CCC 150th anniversary baggy cap, and will be given the loan of a Range Rover Sport for a weekend.
Ian Taylor said: “Choosing the name for me was quite an easy task, although my first idea was Leachy McWheelspin having watched Cars a few too many times! When I thought about it properly and with the car being a Range Rover, then it just had to be Range Roverton to honour Craig, who has been a fantastic servant to the club and one of our top players.
“Being from Taunton, I have a lot of memories going back to my childhood of watching Somerset alongside my dad, so to win the competition and get the name I suggested on the car is a real honour. Driving it out onto the pitch before the game was a very proud moment, and my dad was particularly chuffed as such a huge fan of the Club.
“I’m hopeful that over the remainder of the season there will be plenty more to celebrate, and we can push for success in the both the County Championship and the Blast.”
Craig Overton said: “I might be slightly biased, but I think it’s a brilliant name! It was great to meet Ian and spend some time with the team from Vertu ahead of the game against Glamorgan recently.
“It’s a fun activation and all of the players have enjoyed getting behind the controls and taking Range Roverton for a little spin!”