SOMERSET moved up to second in the county championship after achieving a remarkable five wicket victory over Warwickshire at Taunton.

It was one of those ‘I was there moments’ that fans will talk about for many years as their team chased down 410 - the second highest total in the club’s history.

The victory was made the sweeter because Somerset were all out for 284 in response to the visitors total first innings of 412.

Batting for a second time Warwickshire made 281 for eight, by the end of day three and declared overnight leaving the hosts all day to score 410.

All four results were possible, but as Somerset’s batters went about their business it was clear they believed they could achieve what some had thought was beyond them.

Slowly they crept ever closer and started to control the game until with a handful of the 16 overs that had to be bowled in the last hour they achieved their goal to and keep their hopes of lifting the championship title for the first time very much alive.

All of the Somerset batters played their part but it was Tom Abell who led the way.

Abell walked out to bat in the 19th over when his side were 77 for two. The former skipper and Tom Kohler-Cadmore saw Somerset through to 117 by lunch and shared a partnership of 67 before the latter was out for 49.

Tom Banton then joined Abell and by tea the pair had taken Somerset onto 230 still needing 180 for victory.

During his innings of 81 off 109 balls which included nine fours and two sixes, Banton once again demonstrated how he has developed himself into a very capable red ball batter.

Banton added 138 for the fourth wicket in 32 overs with Abell and when he departed, Migael Pretorius came in for a brief innings of 14 before he was out which left Somerset still needing 111 for victory.

James Rew then joined Abell and it was the two local boys who remained in the middle much to the delight of the crowd to see Somerset to a memorable and what could well be a pivotal victory in this year’s championship challenge.

Abell ended unbeaten on 152, a career best, which he scored off 207 balls with 14 fours and two sixes, while Rew remained not out 57 off 54 deliveries with seven fours and a six.

Somerset take 20 points from the match which sees them in second place in the table 23 behind leaders Surrey who they host at Taunton in September,

The Cidermen now take a seven week break from red ball cricket and resume their challenge for the Holy Grail on August 29th against Durham at Taunton.