SOMERSET moved up to joint second in the LV Championship Division One table after their drawn match with Sussex at Horsham, which ended on Saturday.

The Cidermen were second best in the rain-affected match, but still gained ten points. They and Durham and now ten points behind leaders Nottinghamshrire, who have played a game more.

Reflecting on the four day game at Horsham against reigning Champions Sussex, Somerset coach Andy Hurry said: “Its fair to say that on reflection over the four days that we have behind and chasing the game in all but one of the sessions when we had a good partnership between Marcus Trescothick and Zander de Bruyn.

“At the end of it however we have managed to scrap for ten points and are currently in a healthy position in the championship table.”

Sussex won the toss and, batting first, scored 382 -6 on the first day, a total dominated by Murray Goodwin who scored 137 before being dismissed by Andy Caddick.

The following morning Somerset fought their way back, capturing the remaining four wickets for the addition of 37 runs as the hosts were all out for 419. Charl Willoughby was the pick of the bowlers taking 3-96, while there were two wickets apiece for Steffan Jones, Pete Trego and Caddick In reply, Somerset lost Justin Langer for 15 but Marcus Trescothick and Zander de Bruyn shared a second wicket partnership of 141, before de Bruyn was bowled for 77.

Trescothick looked set to chalk up another century but, with his score on 92, he was caught by ‘keeper Matt Prior off Robin Martin-Jenkins.

James Hildreth and Trego took the total onto 253, but just before the end of the day, the latter was caught by Prior off Luke Wright for 32.

Resuming on 253-5, Somerset were hoping to build upon their strong start, but lost three wickets for the addition of 36 runs and slipped to 289-9, Ian Blackwell, Craig Kieswetter and Ben Phillips all being dismissed in single figures.

It wasn’t until Jones joined Hildreth that the situation steadied but, after an eighth wicket partnership of 33, Jones was out for 25, a third victim for Martin-Jenkins.

Caddick scored 11 before being leg before to Jason Lewry and the final wicket to fall with the total on 348 was Hildreth, who provided the backbone of the innings before being run out for 61.

With a first innings lead of 71, Sussex took their score onto 264-5 by the end of day three.

Rain prevented any play being possible on the final day until 2.20pm when the hosts declared on their overnight total, leaving Somerset a target of 336 off 54 overs to win.

Trescothick was out for 13 with the total on 24, but Langer and de Bruyn took the total onto 107 before the captain was dismissed for 50.

At 5pm, with the Somerset total on 128-2 off 38 overs, the game ended as a draw, with de Bruyn unbeaten on 48 and Hildreth not out eight.