SOMERSET Sabres hit back from a precarious position to snatch a dramatic three-wicket victory with a ball to spare against Nottinghamshire Outlaws in the Pro40 Division One on Sunday.

In front of 4,000 fans at the County Ground, James Hildreth and the recalled Wes Durston, in his first senior game for six weeks, played a crucial role as the Sabres overhauled previously unbeaten Nottinghamshire’s 240-7.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat, the visitors looked set for a big score when they raced to 112-2 off the first 20 overs.

Omari Bank’s off spin and the slow left arm of Arul Suppiah looked to have kept Nottingamshire down to a below-par score.

That was until a brutal, last-over onslaught from Paul Franks who took 28 from Suppiah’s third over to finish with 34 from 16 balls as the visitors posted 240-7.

Suppiah ended with 2-37 from his four overs, while Alfonso Thomas took 2-42 off eight and Banks 1-36, also off eight. Notts’ opener Will Jefferson hit 53 and Adam Voges to scored with 68 not out.

The Sabres reply got off to the worst of starts by losing Justin Langer second ball. However, Marcus Trescothick and Craig Kieswetter took the score on to 77 when the former England man was out for 29.

At the halfway stage, Somerset had scored 85, compared to the Outlaws 112 and were well behind the asking target.

Kieswetter helped the side past the 100-mark before being being dismissed for 57.

James Hildreth went some way to rediscovering his form with a fine knock of 38 from 22 balls but at 164-4, Somerset were still facing an uphill task.

However, Durston, largely overlooked this season, issued a timely reminder to the selectors by scoring 36 off 23 balls, to take the Sabres to brink of victory.

Durston was eventually bowled by Mark Ealham off the first ball of the 38 over, leaving the hosts needing 14 from the last two overs.

Suppiah (18 in 17 balls), who added 45 in five overs with Durston, was run out after a mix up with Banks with eight balls to go but, needing four from the last over, the Sabres held their nerve with Banks (11 not out) hitting the winning two runs off the fifth ball.

Durston said: “It’s good to be back and this was a well-worked victory for us especially after it looking like we were out of it for a long time during the chase.

“In the second half of our chase we treated it a bit like a Twenty20 game, needing about 160 from 20 overs.

“I think that 240 was about par, and when they were batting with one over left we were very happy with just over 200. However these things happen and obviously we feel for Arul, but it doesn’t matter because we won the game.

“We needed to get this win to get us back level and we have now got three home games on the trot.

“It’s great to be back and while second team cricket serves its purpose but nobody really wants to be there. I have got one more year on my contract after this and this is where I want to be playing my cricket. I consider myself a three dimensional player and want to play in both the championship as well as one day cricket.

“If you look at what has happened (in this game) it was pretty much the future of the club who scored the runs which was great.”