SOMERSET moved to the top of the Vitality Blast South Group, having won five of their six matches, their only defeat coming in another high scoring match against Kent at Taunton on Sunday afternoon, writes Richard Walsh.

The first of their three matches in the space of four days saw them hosting Middlesex on Thursday who, being put in, amassed 229 for five.

Faced with such a large total even diehard supporters were wondering if the Cidermen could triumph, especially when they slipped to 88 for four. However Sean Dickson had other ideas and blasted his way to 76 off just 38 balls.

After Dickson departed it was left to skipper Lewis Gregory and Ben Green to see their side home, with the captain hitting the second ball of the final over for 6 to see Somerset 235 for five.

Gregory ended unbeaten on 58 off 23 balls with three 4s and six 6s, while Green was not out 27. This was the highest run chase at Taunton since T20 was introduced in 2003.

The next evening the Cidermen were in action against Gloucestershire in Bristol who were limited to 135 for seven - thanks to career best figures of four for 13 by left arm spinner Lewis Goldsworthy.

Somerset made light work of their target and reached 137 for four in 17.4 overs - thanks to 25 from Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Dickson with 23, 33 not out from Gregory and an unbeaten 51 from opener Will Smeed, his runs coming off 45 balls with 8 fours and a 6.

Sunday’s game against Kent was another high scoring affair, played in front of a packed house, but on this occasion the run chase proved to be just a step too far.

Put into bat Kent got off to a great start, thanks to openers Daniel Bell-Drummond who hit 100 off 49 balls with 12 fours and three 6s and Tawanda Muyeye who hit 70 off with six 4s and three 6s who together put on 158 in 13.2 overs.

In the closing overs the Kent batters were reined in and the innings close on 228 for five, Riley Meredith the pick of the bowlers, taking three for 45

When Somerset responded Banton raced to a 68 off 33 balls with five 4s and six 6s, before he was out with the score on 91. Smeed was seeing the ball almost as well but after hitting 24 he was caught at third man, making Somerset 98 for two in the ninth over.

Kohler-Cadmore carried on with his good form but on 38 he was caught at long off. Abell was out shortly after for 22, caught trying to ramp Gilchrist, making it 70 to win off 34 balls.

A big six from Dickson off the last ball of the 17th left Somerset needing 50 off 18 balls. Green then swung into action and hit the first two balls of the 18th over for 6. Another six by Green off the last ball left Somerset wanting 30 off 12 balls.

Green was caught in the deep off the first ball of the last over for 25 off 12 balls as the hosts ended on 224 for six, losing by four runs, Dickson being not out 31.