Dion Stovell scored a century and spinner Vernon Eve ignited a spectacular batting collapse on the way to a five-wicket haul to propel Southampton Rangers to a 103-run win over Somerset at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

Stovell played a captain’s innings to lead a fightback after the visiting side lost two early wickets during a determined knock of 106 as Rangers posted 197 for nine in their allotted overs after electing to bat on a slow track.

It was then left to Eve to finish the job, claiming five for 21, as Somerset were skittled out for 94 in 31.3 overs.

Rangers must have regretted their decision to bat first after they slumped to 83 for four before experienced Bermuda player Stovell came to the rescue.

The top-order batsman survived a scare on 28 when he was dropped at long on but settled down to reach his fifty off of 92 balls.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals but a defiant Stovell held up his end to bring up his century off of 152 balls and carry his team to a respectable total.

Stovell, last season’s Premier Division Most Valuable Player, struck 14 fours and two sixes during his innings before he was the last Rangers wicket to fall.

Wicketkeeper Ricardo Brangman, who added 44 runs with Stovell for the fourth wicket, was next top scorer with a useful 29. Teenage left-arm seam bowler Micah Simons took three for 26 and Greg Maybury three for 47.

Somerset got off to a promising start with Maybury and wicketkeeper Jade Morrissey adding 32 runs for the first wicket. Rangers made the breakthrough when Morrissey was run out and his dismissal triggered a slide that saw the home side lose three wickets for 15 runs.

Jordan DeSilva, the Somerset captain, and fellow all-rounder Joshua Gilbert produced a timely 42-run partnership to steady ship before Eve intervened.

He broke the stand when he bowled Gilbert after coming in for a bit of punishment from the top-order batsman.

Eve then struck another telling blow by claiming the prized scalp of DeSilva, who was bowled hitting across the line for 31.

Somerset then completely lost the plot as their remaining five wickets fell for the addition of one run with only middle-order batsman Dalin Richardson (1) getting off the mark as Eve inflicted some heavy damage.

Off spinner Stovell took two for 20 to cap a superb all-round display.