The controversial dismissal of Somerset's Curtis Jackson soured what had otherwise been a highly entertaining opening day of Cup Match at Wellington Oval yesterday.

Jackson, batting with a runner in Kwame Tucker after retiring hurt earlier during Somerset's first innings with a calf strain, was judged to have been run out by umpire Jeff Pitcher moments after Jacobi Robinson had been bowled with the first ball he faced from George O'Brien Jr. in the 38th over.

Instead of Robinson heading back to the pavilion umpire Pitcher signalled a no -ball ? one of an astonishing 35 called on the day ? and then declared Jackson out after the ball had been retrieved and the bails removed at the non-striker's end as runner Tucker casually strolled down the crease to have a chat with his team mate.

What ensued were scenes the lovely game could do without as players from both clubs and team officials spilled onto the field and protested the decision at mid-wicket with Somerset claiming the batsmen had never attempted a run while insisting Jackson should not have been given out.

Their protests, however, fell on deaf ears.

Prior to the incident fans were treated to some exciting cricket on the part of Social Club pair Kevin Hurdle and Charlie Marshall.

First Hurdle marked his return to the Somerset line up in menacing style, producing the best bowling performance by a West End bowler since Arthur Simons in 1934. The lanky fast bowler showed absolutely no signs of a hamstring injury that has plagued him all summer long, claiming six wickets for 25 runs off 15 overs, including five maidens.

Hurdle bowled two spells from either end of the grounds, finishing with three for 11 in his first off seven overs and then taking an additional three wickets for 12 runs in his second spell from the eastern end of a pitch that behaved for the most part of the day.

Then there was Marshall's record-breaking innings of 58 which took him past Wendell Smith (1,143) on Cup Match' all time list for the most runs.

And to mark the achievement, Marshall (1,155) smashed Somerset leg spinner Dwayne Leverock over the mid-wicket boundary for a mighty six to eclipse Smith's record set in 1992 at the same venue.

Marshall's 78 ball knock included six fours and five sixes, his half-century coming off 120 minutes off 61 balls in the 36th over.

St.George's vice captain Lionel Cann's controlled knock of 34 was enough to earn the player the distinction of joining an exclusive group of company ? batsmen to have scored over 500 runs in the classic.

Aiding Hurdle in the bowling was Robinson who claimed three for 68 off 12.4 overs, but was guilty of being called for far too many no balls.

St.George's declared their first innings at 188 for nine at 2.40 p.m., giving themselves ample time to try and dismiss Somerset before the close of play.

On the back of skipper Janeiro Tucker's top score of 72, Somerset replied with 239 all out in 39.2 overs to hold on to a 51 first innings lead.

Tucker hit 13 fours and a monstrous six off Delyone Borden off 70 balls in 111 minutes, his half-century coming off 54 balls in 72 minutes in the 32nd over.

Saleem Mukuddem, dismissed for the first time since breaking into Somerset's team in 2003, scored 38 off 60 balls while Kwame Tucker and Stephen Outerbridge each added 20 and Jackson 21.

Tucker and Mukuddem put on 96 runs for the fifth-wicket ? the second best behind Somerset's Charles Daulphin and Sheridan Raynor ? in 16 overs and in 103 minutes.

St.George's colt George O'Brien Jr showed great determination to rebound from a disappointing opening spell with the ball by returning to take five wicket for 87 runs in his second. ICC Trophy member Ryan Steede grabbed three for 60 off nine overs while Gregg Foggo claimed one for 23 off seven overs.

St.George's were six without loss when stumps were drawn at 7.30 p.m. with overnight watchman Steede and Borden unbeaten at the crease.