Somerset CC 242 for eight (declared) and 39 without loss; St.George's CC 217 all out

Cup Match challengers Somerset enhanced their chances of victory after bowling St. George's out before lunch to take a 25 run first innings lead at Somerset Cricket Club this morning.

After going to bed reeling at 96 for five, St.George's fought back via a record 131 run fourth wicket stand between St.George's skipper Lionel Cann

(99) and Charlie Marshall (38).

But once the pair were removed in the space of four overs Somerset spinners Hasan Durham and Chris Douglas and seamer Jordan DeSilva mopped up the Champions' tail.

It all looked so promising for St.George's who avoided the follow on with Marshall and Cann holding court in the middle. But some positive, attacking bowling from Somerset has swung the match back in the hosts' favor.

St.George's last five wickets fell for the addition of 121 runs.

Earlier, St.George's skipper Cann fashioned a genuine skipper's innings, banging nine sixes and seven fours off 179 balls in 127 minutes.

The aggressive all-rounder reached his half century off 91 balls in 114 minutes and decorated the scoreboard with some robust hitting before eventually falling just shy of a maiden Cup Match century to a disputed umpire's decision.

Cann's century partnership with Marshall is the fourth highest in Cup Match history.

Malachi Jones was the pick of the Somerset bowling, taking three for 43 while Left arm spinner Durham had two for two, off spinner Douglas two for ten and DeSilva two for 40.

At lunch Somerset are 39 without lost, an overall lead of 64 runs, with Dion Stovell (seven) and Chris Douglas (31) unbeaten at the crease.