SOMERSET needed just over two hours of the third day to wrap up a 49-run victory over Warwickshire at the Cooper Associates County Ground and consolidate their position at the top of the Specsavers County Championship.

Warwickshire's Sam Hain ended unbeaten on 92 and featured in a last-wicket stand of 49 with Oliver Hannon-Dalby (13) before the visitors were bowled out for 189 in their second innings, Lewis Gregory claiming 4-48.

Somerset took 20 points from their third Championship victory in four games, while their opponents had to settle for three.

The visitors began the morning on 103-6 in Taunton, needing a further 136 to win on a pitch that had assisted the seamers and, to a lesser degree the spinners, throughout the game.

The target never looked reachable as Henry Brookes (2) was caught low down by wicketkeeper Steve Davies in the third over of the morning, bowled by Gregory from the River End.

It was soon evident that the ball would continue to nip about off the seam, and Craig Overton sent Jeetan Patel's (4) leg stump cartwheeling.

At 128-8, Hain was dropped on 49 by Davies after getting an inside edge to a ball from Gregory and the resulting single brought up his half-century from 106 deliveries.

The target dipped below 100, but then Liam Norwell (13) edged a Tim Groenewald delivery through to Davies.

Lunch was delayed by half an hour and it was all over when Hannon-Dalby drove at a wide ball from Gregory and Overton took a sharp catch at gully, giving Somerset victory ahead of Saturday’s Royal London One-Day Cup final against Hampshire at Lord’s.