SOMERSET all-rounder Craig Overton said he "probably hasn’t bowled better" than in this weekend's nine-wicket victory against Leicestershire, which moved the visitors closer to the top two in Group 2 of the LV= Insurance County Championship.

Beaten at home by West Country rivals Gloucestershire last time out, Somerset needed to get back on track at Grace Road, and Overton's match figures of 8-59 off 35.4 overs certainly helped them do that.

Leicestershire opted to bat first upon winning the toss on Thursday, only to slip from 40-0 to 74-5.

Australian Test opener Marcus Harris could only make 19 on his debut in English domestic cricket, before being caught behind off Lewis Gregory (2-39).

Lewis Hill fought back, with 10 boundaries in his total of 68, but he eventually became one of Overton's victims as he claimed 3-39, and England spinner Jack Leach chipped in with 2-26.

Having dismissed their opponents for 233, Somerset's top order failed to fire once more, losing Tom Lammonby, Tom Banton and James Hildreth for 39 runs.

Resuming on 53-3 on Friday, nightwatchman Leach (26) was Leicestershire's sole scalp in a morning session in which 104 runs were added.

Tom Abell and George Bartlett both survived dropped catches in putting together a 112-run fifth-wicket partnership, with Abell playing beautifully for his 88 and Bartlett making 48 before both were dismissed by Ben Mike (3-50).

With an elegant 59 from Steve Davies and 24 from Overton, Somerset finished on 318, to take a first-innings lead of 85 runs.

The hosts then found themselves three wickets down, and still 37 runs behind, at the close of play, as Overton removed both Harry Dearden and Harris in a devastating spell with the new ball.

Overton went on to take 5-25 off 18 overs - 10 of which were maidens - for his best Championship bowling figures since 2015, as Leicestershire were bowled out for 199 on Saturday.

In the absence of captain Colin Ackermann, due to a concussion injury, the home side's hopes rested on the fifth-wicket partnership between Hill and Harry Swindells.

But after Hill (47) was denied a half-century by Leach (3-43), and Overton did likewise to Swindells (49), Leicestershire lost their last five wickets for 37 runs.

It left Somerset needing just 115 to win, which they reached in 26.5 overs for the loss of only one wicket - Banton (8) - Lammonby ended a run of poor scores with a fine unbeaten 70 that included 13 fours.

This was a return to his Bob Willis Trophy form for the 20-year-old, with Abell (35*) joining him at the crease to see the job done.

Overton commented afterwards: "We felt like we were on top of the game coming into today [Saturday], but to bowl them out the way we did to give us that winning chase of 115 meant it was a more comfortable win than we probably felt at times.

"I probably haven’t bowled better than that, at least not in the recent past.

"Sometimes you get into a rhythm as a bowler and today was one of those days, and I’d like to have a few more like that this season.

"Jack [Leach] has bowled well in all three matches without perhaps getting the rewards he deserved.

"He bowled really well at Lord’s on a pitch that didn’t really spin and he bowled well again today.

"He showed what a good bowler he is, and we’re very lucky to have him."

Overton added: "I’m delighted for Tom [Lammonby].

"He’s has a bit of a drop in form but that can happen with an opening batter and we’re not too fussed because we know how good a player he is, and he showed it today with that 70 not out.

"It will give him a massive confidence boost for the next game too."

The 22 points gained at Grace Road take Somerset on to 39, just five adrift of the top two - Hampshire and Gloucestershire, who are still playing each other on the fourth and final day (Sunday).

This coming Thursday (April 29, 11am start) sees Somerset host Middlesex at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton.