Somerset CC 309

Flatts 109 and 199

Jermaine Warner celebrated his return to Somerset by cracking a career-best 136 at Lords to give the West Enders a crushing innings and one-run triumph over Flatts.

Warner, one of several cricketers transferring from Bailey's Bay over the off-season, smashed 21 fours and three sixes off 163 balls and shared in a fruitful 106-run opening stand with Dwight Basden who chipped in with a supportive 56 scored off 72 balls.

Warner reached his first 50 off 86 balls and then raced to triple digits off a further 42 deliveries to place Somerset firmly in the driver's seat after winning the toss and choosing to occupy the crease first.

Basden managed 11 boundaries while Azeem Pitcher (32), skipper Jacobi Robinson (25) and Devon Wade (23) each added useful contributions as Somerset rattled up a mammoth total on a track ideally suited for batting.

Left arm spinner Vernon Eve took three for 91 off 17 overs with two maidens while Regino Smith had two for 55 off 19 with one maiden.

Flatts were skittled out for 109 in reply and forced to follow on and at stumps on the first day were eight for one, still 200 runs shy of their opponents' first innings total.

Nigel Burgess topped the Flatts batting in the first innings with 26, followed by Dejon Caisey's unbeaten 18, Barry DeCouto jr (16) and Reggie Baker (14).

Marcus Johnson spearheaded the Somerset attack with impressive figures of four for 30 off ten overs with three maidens and was aided by Monroe Darrell who took three for 22 off five overs.

Despite a spirited knock of 64 off 122 balls from Baker in the second innings, Flatts failed to make serious inroads in pursuit of their opponents' steep total.

Baker banged nine fours and a six in a stroke-filled innings before he was bowled playing back to a David Gibbs delivery that stayed low.

David Carey scored 39 while Howard Ascento and Ronald Gibbons both added 25.

Robinson and Johnson claimed two for 32 and two for 29 respectively as Flatts came crashing to earth following their recent shock Premier Division limited overs win over defending champions Southampton Rangers who had a bye over the weekend.