SOMERSET seconds lost their Second XI Championship match against Northamptonshire at Campbell Park in Milton Keynes by 58 runs.

Northants won the toss and enjoyed the better of the opening day. Having elected to bat first they reached 330-9 before deciding to declare.

Michael Munday was the pick of the Somerset bowlers with 3-89, while Charl Willoughby ended with 2-58, and there was a wicket each for Max Waller, David Stiff and Andrew Tye.

In the first days remaining overs Somerset knocked 43 but lost three wickets in the fading light.

On the second day, still 287 behind their hosts but with seven wickets in hand Somerset had a much better day. Thanks to good performances from Lewis Gregory, who made 72, and Adam Dibble, 65, the visitors were able to reach 211 before the final wicket fell.

Somerset were again unable to claim ten wickets in Northhants’ second innings as this time they declared at 254 with just five wickets down. Max Waller took two of the wickets to fall at a cost of 51 runs.

Following the declaration Somerset saw the day out without loss and resumed in the morning on 12. The Cidermen required 373 for victory at this point and had 96 overs in which to get those runs.

A number of the Somerset batsmen got themselves in on a difficult track but were unable to capitalise and extend their innings. James Burke made 62, Chris Jones 43, skipper Robin Lett 48, Andrew Tye 39 and lower down the order David Stiff scored 57, his first half century for Somerset Second XI.

Those runs all added up but as wickets continued to tumble Somerset were eventually all out for 315 in 85.5 overs, within sight of their target.

After the match coach Jason Kerr said: “After a disappointing opening day the team have played much better and it’s just a shame that nobody could go on and make a big score.”