Somerset 116 Cleveland 115

Davon Wade marked a triumphant debut at the helm of Somerset as the west enders scored 116 for two to thrash their guests Cleveland by eight wickets on Saturday.

Wade, who replaced Shawn Roberts as skipper this season, led from the front by stroking a fluent unbeaten 51 at Somerset Cricket Club. The stalwart cracked seven fours and two sixes after coming to the crease to steady the innings when the home side lost opener Dwayne Basden (0) with only six runs on the board.

Assisting the new skipper were all-rounder Wendell White and Randy Simmons who grabbed three for 12 and three for 11 respectively to leave a big smile on new coach Jeff Richardson's face.

White also tossed down three maidens during a devastating eight-over spell while Simmons seized his victims in only 5.1 overs, including a maiden. Sheridan Ming, Shane Hollis, Basden and Shannon Warner chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Cleveland's fortunes at the crease were just as dreary as Saturday's overcast conditions. Batting first, the visitors were immediately rocked back when White had veteran opener Aaron Adams scooped up by Basden for nought without a run on the board.

The pickings were also be bleak for former Somerset player Curtis Jackson. In his first game against his former colleagues, Jackson was sent back to the pavilion by White without contributing to the total.

Gaining the early upper hand, Somerset continued to pile on the heat and it wasn't long before it again paid off as Shane Hollis had Mishael Paynter snapped up by Wade. Cleveland were now trembling at three for four and they never recovered as White and Ming removed the visitors middle-order to leave them reeling at five for 33.

However, the visitors finally found some stability in incoming batsman Jefferey Tyrell who managed to fend off the home side's relentless attack. The Cleveland number four batsman provided his team with 43 desperately needed runs - though wickets continued to tumble around him like the proverbial deck of cards.

Oblivious to the surrounding carnage, Tyrell painstakingly crafted seven fours during his patient innings. But when he was finally out, caught by White off the bowling of Randy Simmons, with the score reading 94 for eight - the writing was on the wall. Peter Philpott (11) and Johnny Richardson (12 not out) were the only other Cleveland bats to reach double figures. The visitors also had a helping hand from their hosts who yielded 36 extras. Cleveland were skittled out for 115 in 43.5 overs.

Somerset, with the exception of the early losses of Basden, clean bowled by Philpott (one for 25) and fellow opener Ming (15) caught by the latter off the bowling of Charles Richardson (one for 21), encountered little resistance from their stunned opponents.

With Wade in punishing form and an unbeaten 15 from White, Somerset romped to their first win of the season without futher loss. Somerset secured their winning target in only 19.4 overs; their cause aided by some sloppy fielding as Cleveland gave up 35 extras.