SOMERSET bosses are happy with the side's start to the season in the Liverpool Victoria Championship as they chase one of the second division's two promotion spots, writes Richard Walsh.

The Cidermen were knocked back to third in the table after suffering their first defeat in the four-day competition away to Middlesex at Lord's (page 165).

Despite that, director of cricket Brian Rose and head coach Andu Hurry believe they are in a strong position to win a place in Division One, which they were widely tipped to do at the start of the campaign.

Before the start of their latest game against Leicestershire, which started at the County Ground yesterday (Wednesday), Somerset were half a point behind second placed Middlesex and 25.5 adrift of early pacemakers Nottinghamshire.

Rose said yesterday: "In terms of the county championship, we are going pretty well and even though we lost to Middlesex we are well placed in third.

"In the games we have played so far we have been on top for most of the sessions of each match.

"We drew our first two home games, which was our aim given that the wickets were so good, and then beat Gloucestershire comfortably at Taunton.

"We have had two excellent wins and we are now in a powerful position with a good base to go forward from in our bid for promotion and we will be looking to bounce back against Leicestershire, who we beat earlier in the season at Grace Road."

Coach Hurry said: "I'm pleased with where we are at the moment, although obviously disappointed that we haven't been able to maintain second position.

"However, it is still early doors in this competition and it is important that we come back strongly from that defeat."

Somerset face Surrey at Bath on Sunday in the 50-over Friends Provident Trophy, where they still have a very slim chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.

Somerset then head to Chelmsford to face Essex in their final Friends Provident match on Wednesday.