SOMERSET took another step towards winning the County Championship for the first time in their history when they beat Essex by eight wickets on Sunday afternoon.

After being put into bat, Somerset scored 469 all out, of which Josh Thomas made 110, new-boy New Zealander Henry Nicholls made 96, Tom Abell hit 65. Migael Pretrius 48 while James Rew remained unbeaten on 74.

In reply Essex were bowled out for 158, Jack Leach taking 4 for 37 while Lewis Gregory ended with 3 for 29.

Somerset enforced the follow-on and after spending the whole of the third day in the field during which they claimed just three Essex wickets they returned on day four to bowl out the visitors for 412.

Left arm spinner Leach was the bowler who did the damage, taking 5 for 81, from his 55.2 overs giving him match figures of 9 for 118, while Archie Vaughan claimed 3 for 123.

In their second innings Somerset reached the required 103 for 2 in 19.2 overs, Thomas making 31 while Tom Lammonby remained unbeaten on 39.

Afterwards bowling hero Leach said: “There have been lots of contributions throughout the four days, big first innings runs which you need in championship cricket so I’m really happy with how the boys went.

“This season I have had long periods where I haven’t bowled much, but now’s the period where I get six games, so hopefully I can make some good contributions. Everyone has stepped up their game so it’s a very pleasing win for us.”

With five matches remaining the 22 points which the home side take from this result puts the Cidermen into second place in the table, two points behind reigning champions Nottinghamshire.