Somerset take big stride towards safety
At Edgbaston Somerset (282 & 265-4) beat Warwickshire (146 & 232) by 169 runs)
Somerset completed a crucial victory over Warwickshire to improve their Division One survival hopes.
Chasing 402 for victory, the home side were bowled out for 232 to suffer their seventh defeat in 11 games and one which effectively seals their relegation.
Somerset, meanwhile, will go on to face Lancashire at Taunton, next week with momentum high as they aim to reel in one of the sides above them over the final three games.
Warwickshire will take on pacesetters Essex at Edgbaston next week with the prospect of having their relegation sealed while the visitors celebrate clinching the title.
Somerset’s march towards victory on the final day was delayed by rain but after Warwickshire resumed at 12.30pm on 172 for six they added just 12 before Craig Overton nipped a delivery back inside Tim Ambrose’s defence to dismiss him lbw for 21.
Jeetan Patel and Chris Wright added 35 before the latter was bowled by a swinging yorker from Tim Groenewald – although the spinners enjoyed themselves in this match on a turning track it was perhaps the work of Somerset seamers Groenewald and Overton that was most impressive.
Former Warwickshire player Groenewald completed a welldeserved five-for (ending with five for 58) when Patel (42, 71 balls, six fours) lifted to point and off-spinner Dominic Bess sealed victory when he knocked out Sunny Singh’s off stump.