Somerset stay in hunt for first County Championship (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Somerset stay in hunt for first County Championship

5:29pm Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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SOMERSET kept their hopes of winning the County Championship for the first time in their 135 year history alive when they beat Lancashire inside three days at the County Ground today.

Resuming on 350 for 8 in reply to Lancashire's 259, the Cidermen were all out for 382, Murali Kartik ending unbeaten on 52, while for the visitors Gary Keedy took 5 for 81.

Facing a deficit of 121 Lancashire were soon in trouble and by lunchtime had slipped to 54 for 4 and they were eventually all out for 170, Charl Willoughby taking 3 for 37, and Alfonso Thomas 3 for 53, which included his 100th first team wicket of the season in all forms of the game.

Needing 48 for victory, the Cidermen made light work of their task and reached 52 for one in 8.4 overs to record a nine wicket victory from which they take 23 points.

Nick Compton was not out 30, while Arul Suppiah was unbeaten on 12.

Somerset are now second in the table, two points behind the leaders Notts and now play their final LV=Championship match of the season when they travel to take on Durham on Monday at Chester-le-Street.