Sabres cut down Dragons

Peter Trego took four wickets for Somerset against Glamorgan

Somerset Sabres got their one-day season off to a winning start when they beat Glamorgan Dragons in the Friends Provident Trophy at Taunton.

After being put into bat Marcus Trescothick and Justin Langer got Somerset off to a brisk start at the County Ground.

The recovering England player took 20 off the fourth over, but with the total on 38 was lucky to survive a slip chance.

The introduction of Simon Jones into the Glamorgan attack was greeted aggressively by Langer, who crashed the second ball to midwicket.

Trescothick brought up the Sabres’ 50 before Andrew Davies had Langer caught by wicket-keeper Mark Wallace for 19.

In the next over Trescothick - on 36 - followed his captain back to the pavilion when he top-edged Jones to fine leg, where Robert Croft bagged the catch.

Cameron White and James Hildreth both batted fluently but after taking the Sabres onto 154, Hildreth was out for 42 - driving a ball from Wharf straight to Matt Elliott at short cover.

White brought his 50 up just before the halfway stage, but in the 28th over was caught by Wharf diving to his left at short midwicket.

Ian Blackwell looked impressive as he moved to 40 before he was caught at long-on by Michael Powell off Croft.

At 217 for seven Somerset looked like falling short of posting a challenging total - but they were rescued by Craig Kieswetter.

Simon Jones marked his return to action with three wickets

The 19-year-old quickly got into his stride and showed great confidence and maturity as he added 75 with Steffan Jones.

Kieswetter brought his half-century up with a lofted four over long-on but with the score on 292, Wharf accounted for Jones for 26.

Andrew Caddick and the debutant remained together until the last ball when the paceman was run out.

The Sabres ended on 310 for nine, with Kieswetter 69 not out off 58 balls - which included 10 fours and one six.

For Glamorgan, Jones made a successful return to end with 3-56 off his 10 overs.

Trego got the hosts off to a good start accounting for Elliott lbw with the total on 19.

He struck again in the eighth over, when Wharf was caught by wicket-keeper Kieswetter, diving to his right, and next over had Nicky Peng edging a ball that left him.

Powell and David Hemp took control and brought the Dragons’ hundred up.

They looked well set until part-time bowler Hildreth had Hemp caught by Kieswetter for 48.

Powell continued to threaten until Mark Turner returned at the Old Pavilion End to have him caught at wide mid-off by Trescothick.

Going into the last 10 overs Glamorgan needed 88 to win with five wickets remaining.

However, the situation swung dramatically in the Sabres’ favour when the visitors lost Wallace and Ben Wright off consecutive balls - the former caught by White at point off Trego, whilst Caddick clean bowled the latter.

From 232 for seven there was no way back for the Dragons and despite some lusty blows from Croft, who ended on 37, they eventually reached 285 for eight to give Somerset victory by 24 runs.

For the Sabres, Trego ended with 4-54 from his 10 overs.