SOMERSET crashed to defeat on their Pro40 Division One opener as they went down by six wickets against Susses at Arundel on Sunday.

Marcus Trescothick smashed 91 as the Cidermen scored a useful 242-7. But that knock was trumped by Matt Prior, who batted for all but five balls of the Sussex innings for a magnificent 137, as the hosts got home with two balls to spare at 246-4.

After being asked to bat, Somerset slipped to 59-3 with Craig Kieswetter (16), Pete Trego (16) and skipper Justin Langer (6) the men out.

Trescothick and Zander de Bruyn then added 125 before the former England man was dismissed for 91 from 98 deliveries, including nine fours.

In form de Bruyn batted the remainder of the innings for an unbeaten 70 from 87 balls with Arul Suppiah's 30 from 12 balls, helping post 242-7. There was more disappointment for James Hilderth, who was dismissed for one.

However, that total quickly looked below-par as wicket-keeper batsman Prior, looking to regain his England place, set about the bowling.

He was the dominant player in stands of 64 with Michael Yardy (20), 99 with England one-day player Luke Wright (40) and 74 with captain Chris Adams (36).

None of the Somerset bowlers managed an economy rate of under five, with Andy Caddick, making his return to the one-day arena, went for 50 from his eight overs and finished wicket-less.

Thanks to Prior's efforts, Sussex were always up with the rate and, when he went for a superb 137 from 123 balls (12 fours three sixes) four were needed from the last five deliveries.

Murray Goodwin hit the winning boundary from the fourth ball of the over bowled by Alfonso Thomas (2-48 from 7.4), who was one of only two Somerset bowlers to take a wicket - the other was Trego (2-47 from eight).

Somerset are on the road in the competition again tomorrow (Wednesday) when they play Durham at the Riverside and they take on Middlesex at Lord's next Monday. Both are floodlit games.

SOMERSET defeated Kent by 246 runs at Taunton to move up to second in the Liverpool Victoria Championship Division One last weekend.

The Cidermen, chasing their first Championship, are just a point behind leaders Durham, who defeated Surrey by ten wickets.

Somerset piled up 427 all out on the first day with Zander de Bruyn (81) top scoring among five players to hit half centuries.

Charl Willloughby, Steffan Jones and Alfonso Thomas then took three wickets apiece as the visitors were bowled out for 208.

Skipper Justin Langer led the way with 88 as his side posted 243-8 declared, setting Kent 463 for victory.

That was always going to be a tall order and, with skipper Rob Key absent, Somerset wrapped up victory after 45 minutes of the final day on Saturday, bowling Kent out for 216.

Jones was the leading light with the ball, bagging 5-53 - he took 8-121 in the match - only narrowly missing out on a hat-trick in the second innings. Geraint Jones top scored with a defiant 53 not out.