A 12-WICKET haul from Jack Leach and a solid batting performance which included centuries from Tom Abell and James Rew were the stand-out performances from Somerset’s crushing 293-run victory over Durham at Taunton.

The result, from which the Cidermen take a maximum 24 point haul, keeps them well in contention in the county championship, and with leaders Surrey only managing a draw from their game, reduces the gap between the two to 24 points with three games to play.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat Somerset’s innings could not have got off to a worse start as they lost  Andy Umeed to the first ball of the match. Tom Lammonby went with the score on 25 before Lewis Goldsworthy, who opened.  and Abell took the total onto 68 before Goldsworthy was out for 38.

Abell was joined by Tom Banton who between them added 184 for the fifth wicket, when the former skipper was out for 124.

Banton went for another impressive innings of 73 before Rew and debutant Archie Vaughan who made 30 saw the total onto 328.

Rew added 91 runs with Kasey Aldridge before he was out for 103 and the latter went onto make 44 and Lewis Gregory 31 before Somerset were all out for 391.

When Durham replied at 170 for six they looked like being dismissed cheaply but the lower order batted well to see them to 336 all out, still 156 in arrears. Leach took five for 124.

Somerset did not enforce the follow on and batting for a second time scored 263 for five declared, Abell making 56 and Banton 46.

Chasing 419 for victory in the 14 overs of play that was possible at the end of the third day Durham found themselves 15 for three.

On the final day despite several short interruptions for rain Somerset kept up the pressure and managed to reduce Durham to 96 for six by lunchtime.

Leach was at his most dangerous in the conditions and bowling in tandem with teenager Vaughan made runs very hard to come by 

Despite another rain break Leach kept the wickets tumbling, assisted by some good slip catching by Craig Overton in particular who hung onto seven in the match, some close to the ground.

Leach ended the match with two wickets in as many balls as Durham were all out for 126 in 60.3 overs, the slow left armer taking seven for 50 from his 30.3 overs, while Vaughan ended with two for 40 from his 21 overs.

Somerset’s next championship match is against Surrey at Taunton starting at 10.30am on Monday 9th September so there is all to play for!