THERE was final day drama at the Kia Oval as this Vitality County Championship match between Somerset and Surrey ended in a draw.

The hosts began the day as favourites, but as the game drew to a dramatic climax, it was Somerset who were in the ascendancy.

Chasing 209 in 19 overs, Dan Lawrence and Jamie Smith hit 32 off the seventh and eight overs to take their stand to 90 and set up the prospect of a first win of the season for the champions.

Smith twice hit Craig Overton back over his head into the pavilion and pulled a short ball from Migael Pretorius over mid-wicket for his third six, but trying to clear long on off the first ball of the ninth over he was well caught by Matt Renshaw running in from the boundary for 45 off 25 balls.

Ollie Pope slashed the second ball of the tenth from Kasey Aldridge over point for six but he was bowled later in the over attempting a repeat before three wickets in nine balls ended Surrey’s challenge.

Aldridge picked up two in the 12th over as Jamie Overton slogged one in the air and skipper Rory Burns was caught on the boundary for a four-ball duck. Lewis Gregory then held a steepler to remove Dom Sibley off his own bowling.

Lawrence was unbeaten on 53 from 34 balls when the players shook hands with five overs left.

Earlier, Gregory batted for 66 overs for 80 in Somerset’s second-innings 351 as his determination, the loss of 18 overs in the morning to rain and the effects of a slow pitch and a Kookaburra ball which offered little assistance blunted the Surrey attack.

Gregory had come in on day three with his side five wickets down and only nine runs in front, but he got good support from Aldridge (42) and Craig Overton (52 not out) in four-and-a-quarter hours at the crease.

Play didn’t start until 12.10pm and when Surrey took the new ball Somerset’s lead was only 100.

After a rain delay, the visiting batters demonstrated grit, determination, patience and no shortage of skill until the rearguard action finally came to an end just after 4:50pm 

After a rain delay, the visiting batters demonstrated grit, determination, patience and no shortage of skill until the rearguard action finally came to an end just after 4:50pm that left Surrey chasing 209 in 19 overs.

Surrey took 14 points, Surrey 11.