SOMERSET are back on fire in the Twenty20 cup after two impressive victories in front of full houses at the County Ground, writes Richard Walsh.

Last Friday night they proved too strong for Glamorgan, who after opting to field first, saw their hosts score 199-6.

The innings featured 37 from Craig Kieswetter, 30 from Pete Trego and a cameo of 48 off 19 balls by Jos Buttler, which included four sixes.

Glamorgan in reply were bowled out for 135 in 18.1 overs, leg spinner Max Waller claiming 4-27 as well as claiming a stunning catch to remove Nathan McCullum.

Sunday’s visitors Warwickshire were never in it and were just blown away by the Somerset T20 machine.

After choosing to bat Warwickshire found themselves 13-5 off 28 balls and were eventually bowled out for 73 in 17 overs.

Yasir Arafat claimed 4-5 – his best return in T20 cricket.

The Cidermen made light work of chasing their target and reached 78 without loss in 8.3 overs.

Kieswetter was unbeaten on 39 off 27 balls while Chris Jones made 30 not out off 26.

With three group matches to play Somerset find themselves third in the Midlands/Wales/West Division with eight points from seven matches.

Leaders Northants have 12 points from eight games and Glamorgan ten from eight.

Somerset’s three remaining games are away in Bristol tomorrow (Friday) evening against Gloucestershire, at Worcestershire on Saturday and at Edgbaston against Warwickshire on Tuesday.

The top two teams in each of the three groups progress to the quarter-finals, along with the two best third placed teams, based on run rate.

Victory in all three games would not only see Somerset qualify for the next stage but would also see them in with a good chance of a home tie – the latter depending on results from elsewhere.

Looking ahead to the remaining games, Friday’s Man of the Match Waller said: “As we come to the end of the first stage of the competition we have got three massive games and I think we are peaking at the right time, which is a good thing.

“We will be taking it game by game, starting on Friday with a game in Bristol.

“Gloucestershire are always a dangerous side, especially on their own turn turf, and I have been around long enough to know that local derby games always have that extra edge so we certainly won’t be taking them lightly.

“If we win the next three games then hopefully we will get a home quarter final which is our target so fingers crossed.

“Its always brilliant playing in front of our home crowd.”