MARCUS Trescothick was a happy man after his side beat Sussex to notch up their second Championship win at Taunton in as many games, taking Somerset to the top of the Division One table.

He said: “I’m delighted with that result and it was a pretty good performance from us throughout. I thought we did pretty well in most parts of the game bar our batting in the top order. Our bowling was outstanding in both innings.”

Talking about Alfonso Thomas’s achievement (see above) he said: “I have never seen four in four so it was quite amazing to be out there. I saw Andy Caddick get four in five in my second Test match but not four in four.

“I have seen a few hat-tricks along the way and they are rare and don’t come around very often. The game was so tight at the time and they were trying to get back in the game but he ripped the heart out of them and turned the game on its head.”

After opting to bat Sussex were dismissed for 214. In reply the hosts slumped to 39-5 before being rescued by the three Craigs – Kieswetter who made 65, Meschede with 38 and Overton who hit an outstanding career- best 84. Thomas chipped in with 38 as Somerset reached 289.

Sussex were then bowled out for 178, Thomas ending with 5-40. That was his third 5-for in the Championship.

Chasing 103, Somerset reached 107-4 in 20.1 overs to claim 21 points.

Last week Somerset had to settle for a draw from their game at Old Trafford after the rain washed out the last day.

Somerset play three Nat West Blast T20 matches in the space of the next six days, starting with Hampshire at Taunton on Friday at 5.30pm.

That is followed by Sussex at Arundel on Sunday at 2.30pm and Middlesex at the Oval on Wednesday, June 18 at 5.30pm.

Trescothick said: “The T20 is a competition we need to improve upon because we haven’t been at our best in it so far. We need to re-address what we are doing and hopefully turn it around.”