Joshua Gilbert struck a half-century and Justin Corday produced a three-wicket haul to guide Somerset to a comfortable 96-run triumph over Western Stars at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

Gilbert scored a game high 77 batting at No 4 and featured in two half-century partnerships with Jordan DeSilva, the Somerset captain, and Corday that laid the foundation for the hosts 247 for nine after being sent in.

Corday then spearheaded Somerset’s spin attack that accounted for six of the nine wickets to fall against a Stars team who turned up a man short.

Stars might have rued their decision to send Somerset in as the hosts got off to a flying start with openers William White and Jade Morrissey adding 43 for the first wicket to make the most of the first power play.

Seth Campbell, the Stars seamer, finally made the breakthrough when he removed both openers in the space of two runs to shift the momentum in his team’s favour.

With Stars sensing blood, the situation for Somerset called for application to steady the ship and get the innings back on track, and Gilbert and Corday were equal to the task.

The pair added 65 runs for the third wicket, carrying the score from 45 for two to 110, before a Brian Hall delivery caught the edge of Corday’s bat and was held behind by Jekon Edness, the Stars wicketkeeper and former Somerset captain.

Corday, promoted up the order to No 3, hammered four sixes and three boundaries in a knock of 44 from 35 deliveries.

Stars were relieved to see the big-hitting Corday back in the pavilion but their joy was short-lived as Gilbert, who brought up his half-century off 70 balls, and DeSilva added a further 74 runs for the fourth-wicket.

The stand was broken when DeSilva was caught off Rohan Davies, the Stars seamer, after gathering 30 from 48 deliveries with two boundaries.

Gilbert added a further 33 runs for the fifth wicket with Reid Jones (20) before being stumped by Edness, charging Campbell.

Wickets tumbled at regular intervals thereafter as Campbell and Burt made inroads in their second spells, Somerset losing four wickets in the space of 25 runs before the overs expired.

Campbell took five for 29 to lead the Stars attack and Burt two for 64.

Stars found themselves in early trouble in their reply. Micah Simons, the left-arm seamer, made the breakthrough when he had opener Ryan Tyrell caught behind by Morrissey, the Somerset wicketkeeper, for nine.

Fellow seamer Greg Maybury then struck a telling blow when he had danger man Tre Manders (6) caught behind and then bowled opener Wayne Campbell (22) with a delivery that moved off the seam to leave Stars reeling at 47 for three.

A timely 86-run fourth-wicket stand between Edness and Justin Robinson, the Stars captain, frustrated the Somerset attack. The pair carried the score past the century mark with some sensible batting and looked unflappable until Edness (23) pulled a short Corday delivery and picked out Simons, who took a brilliant diving catch at short fine leg.

Edness’ dismissal triggered a slide that saw Stars lose three wickets in the space for nine runs as Somerset’s spinners tightened their grip, with Hall, Jacobi Robinson, the former Somerset captain, and Davies falling cheaply. In between the carnage Robinson reached fifty off 77 balls in 108 minutes.

The middle-order bat tried his best to shield his team’s tail but Marcus Johnson, the Somerset off spinner, picked up a wicket maiden in his first over before removing Robinson in his second as Stars were dismissed for 151 in 41.3 overs. Robinson’s 58 arrived off 84 deliveries and included six boundaries and a six.

Corday had three for 30 with Maybury and Johnson taking two wickets each, the latter for as many runs.

n Bailey’s Bay beat Southampton Rangers by 153 runs at Southampton Oval to avenge their loss at Sea Breeze Oval. Bay scored 237 with Stephen Outebridge their high man with 75. Southampton were dismissed for just 84 in reply as Kyle Hodsoll and Derrick Brangman claimed four wickets each.