Dion Stovell says it is an “honour” to have been chosen as the 2018 Cup Match MVP for the first time.

The Somerset all-rounder won the award for claiming figures of seven for 49 with his off spin to condemn St George’s to their worst defeat in Cup Match for 70 years.

“It’s an honour to win MVP for Cup Match and I would like to thank the sponsors and selection panel for choosing me,” Stovell said. “Going off my past history with the classic, I have a lot of mixed emotions.

“I thought this year was my year to perform with the bat but it ended up being with the ball.

“I thought I had a good Cup Match and with Somerset’s winning mentality, I always thought we could win.

“I must take my hat off to Jeff [Richardson, the Somerset coach] and his coaching staff for maintaining a high standard, which I feel is why we have been successful over the years.

“I must also take my hat off to Terryn Fray [the Somerset vice-captain] for giving us a motivational speech when the game was getting tough.”

Stovell took three for 21 in the St George’s first innings and four for 58 in the second innings.

He was brought back into the attack for another spell late in the second day, with St George’s desperately trying to save the match, and mopped up the tail to complete Somerset’s innings and 34 run triumph — their biggest win since 1948.

First, he broke a 97-run, ninth-wicket partnership between Onias Bascome, who scored a century, and Zeko Burgess.

Stovell then dismissed Burgess to ignite Somerset’s celebrations.

“Dion’s bowling performance won the match; it’s as simple as that,” said Michael Corday, the Somerset cricket chairman. “Especially when St George’s seemed to be settled in.”

Stovell was chosen as the MVP by a four-man panel of judges, which included Richardson and his opposite number Ryan Steede, as well as umpires Emmerson Carrington and Melvin Best.