County Championship - Division One

Somerset 337 & 362-9 beat Worcestershire 257 & 301 by 149 runs

SOMERSET eventually broke a record-breaking final-wicket partnership to claim a 149-run victory over Worcestershire which lifts them to second in the County Championship table.

Needing eight more wickets to seal the win on the final day, the visitors had four of them within the first half hour as a combination of rash shots and fine deliveries saw the hosts slip to 71-6, which later became 165-9.

But Alex Milton and Steve Magoffin combined to set a new record 10th-wicket partnership for Worcestershire, adding 136 runs to frustrate the visitors throughout the afternoon.

Eventually, however, Craig Overton sealed the victory in the second over after tea as Magoffin chipped to Josh Davey on 43 to leave debutant Milton stranded on an excellent unbeaten 104.

Such a nail-biting finish seemed a world away early on as Somerset flew out the traps with the ball.

Jamie Overton picked up two of the early wickets to fall as Travis Head (46) flayed at a wide one and Ed Barnard edged his first ball to James Hildreth at first slip, with Davey collecting the other two.

Milton and Ross Whiteley stemmed the tide, adding 71 for the seventh wicket before the latter provided Jamie Overton with his fourth wicket, edging behind for 39.

Jack Leach came to the fore after the lunch interval, removing Luke Wood (13) and Dillon Pennington (0) - the latter falling to a deflected catch which bounced off Marcus Trescothick, fielding on his knees at slip, and was held by Steve Davies.

Enter Magoffin alongside Milton, the pair demonstrating determination in spades but also no shortage of fine strokeplay as they set about saving the game for their side.

Milton, a Cardiff MCCU student making his Championship debut because of an injury to Worcestershire's first-choice wicketkeeper Ben Cox, completed a superb century but Magoffin's resistance finally ended shortly after tea.

The victory takes Somerset up to second, 34 points behind runaway leaders Surrey, who visit Taunton in the penultimate round of matches on September 18.

England name their squad tomorrow for the first Test against India on August 1, with Leach - who ended 2-76 from 22 overs - and his spin twin Dom Bess among those pushing for selection.

Jamie Overton has also provided a timely reminder as to his talents when fully fit, with eight wickets in the match and serious pace on display throughout.