Somerset CC 113 PHC 116-4

PHC coasted to a six-wicket victory at Southampton Oval yesterday to remain on course to celebrate one of their best Premier Division finishes ever in Limited Overs cricket.

Inspired by the bowling of veterans David (Chick) Adams, Dean Stevens and Cal Waldron the Warwick club tore through Somerset's brittle batting before the westenders succumbed to a rather disappointing and paltry total after reeling against the attack for 37.3 overs.

Former St. George's Cup Match spinner Adams was the chief wicket taker with four four a mere 11 runs off five overs with a maiden while Stevens and Waldron each took two. Stevens conceded 16 runs off 10 overs with four maidens while Waldron gave up 32 runs in 8.3 overs with a maiden.

Somerset's day of misery started when opener Dwight Basden was dismissed for a duck without a run scored and then further wickets fell at 14 and 29 before stability came when number two bat Azeem Pitcher (43) and middle-order bat Jekon Edness (21) joined in a fourth-wicket stand that took the total to 87. Once that partnership was broken PHC's bowlers dominated and ripped through the remaining batting order _ Wendell Ditton offering some resistance with 13 not out.

In total Somerset had three ducks with several others failing to reach double figures. They were dismissed in 37.3 overs.

In sharp contrast PHC got a positive start with openers Sheridan Ming and Jason Anderson putting on 32, Ming scoring 21 and Anderson 20. Fiqre Crockwell followed on 18 and then Dean Stephens and Ricardo Brangman saw them to their winning target with undefeated knocks, Stephens on 24 and Brangman on 16. They needed just 28.2 overs for victory.

Young teenage spinner Joshua Gilbert was the only Somerset bowler taking wickets, finishing with three wickets for 30 runs off 7.2 overs with three maidens.