SOMERSET Seconds proved themselves too strong for Devon when the two sides met at the beautiful Knightshayes Court Ground on Sunday.

After Devon were put in to bat first, Pete Trego accounted for the top three batsmen which made them 27-3 in the 11th over.

The hosts rallied to reach 74-5 in the 25th before left-arm spinner George Dockrell was introduced into the attack.

The Irish international took maximum advantage of the conditions and, in the next 10 overs, proceeded to bowl Devon out for 97 off 35.4 overs.

Dockrell ended with the impressive figures of 5- 17 off 6.4 while Trego claimed 3-27 off 10 with two maidens.

When they replied, Somerset lost Alex Barrow in the third over, before Tom Abell and Trego added 69 together.

Abell was out to the last ball of the 23rd over of the match for 24 which came off 81 balls with four 4s.

Trego remained at the crease to see Somerset home in the 36th over, by which time he was unbeaten on 44 which came off 69 balls and included seven 4s, while Josh Davey was not out 8.

Afterwards, Andy Hurry, the Somerset director of high performance, said: “Having won the toss it was imperative we hit areas that challenged the Devon front line batters.

“Pete Trego and Chris Skidmore set the tone with Tregs breaking the opening partnership before Skiddy split a finger attempting a caughtand- bowled chance which resulted in stitches and no further part in the game which was disappointing as he had challenged the batters consistently.

“Tregs continued to penetrate supported by James Burke who along with Jo Barrs ( Exeter University) and Josh Davey all built pressure and as a seam bowling unit showed their class.

Max Waller, as captain, read the game exceptionally well and turned to spin adding George Dockrell into the attack whose guile and skill spun Devon into a deeper hole returning with a five-wicket haul for a miserly 17 runs.

“Devon made an early break-through, trapping Alex Barrow on the crease but the experience of Tregs and the poise of Tom Abell set the Somerset victory up, with Abell falling just before the close.”

Hurry added: “A clinical team performance with contributions from all the team.

“This was an all-round performance that, on a wicket that was a challenge to bat on, the side showed their class.”