Somerset settle for second

Ed Joyce blasted 77 to help Middlesex win © Getty Images

Somerset’s champagne season lost some of its sparkle with a seven-wicket NatWest Pro40 Division Two defeat by Middlesex at Taunton, which robbed them of a title double.

The Sabres had to be content with runners-up spot behind Durham. But for the Crusaders victory meant third place and a chance of promotion through the play-off.

Somerset could muster only 211 for nine after winning the toss, Neil McKenzie contributing 86 and Justin Langer 54.

Young seamer Steve Finn claimed 3-23 from his eight overs, while Tim Murtagh returned 3-38.

Middlesex openers Ed Joyce (77) and Ed Smith (80) then produced a stand of 154 to eliminate any doubt about the result. Their team eventually reached their target with 17 balls to spare.

Joyce and Smith paced their partnership perfectly in glorious batting conditions. Joyce made his runs off 78 balls, with nine fours and a six, while his partner batted for 100 deliveries and collected seven fours and a six.

Both eventually fell to return catches and there was still a little work for Andrew Strauss to do at the end as Somerset fought hard. But he took a six and a four off Andrew Caddick’s final over to move Middlesex within 20 of victory with five overs remaining.

Ed Smith led his team to a place in the play-off game

The loss of three early wickets meant Somerset’s innings had taken a long time to gain momentum. Craig Kieswetter was caught behind off the impressive Finn, who also bowled Peter Trego playing a big shot.

In between those dismissals Marcus Trescothick spooned a catch to mid-off to become Murtagh’s first victim.

McKenzie joined Langer at 25 for three and the experienced pair were mainly content to pick off singles as they launched a recovery.

That only 58 runs were on the board by the end of the 15 overs of fielding restrictions, did huge credit to the efforts of Finn and Murtagh.

Langer looked to be accelerating as he reached his half-century off 67 balls, with three fours and a six. But soon afterwards he lofted a drive to long-on where Ed Joyce took a fine low catch running in from the boundary.

Ian Blackwell never looked comfortable at the crease, contributing only three, but McKenzie continued to accumulate steadily, having reached his fifty off 78 balls.

He found an in-form partner in James Hildreth, whose 39 off 21 balls, with five fours and a six, added some much needed impetus at the end.

The result was a disappointment for home fans in a crowd of more than 4,000. But a promotion double after winning the LV County Championship Division Two still represents a big season for Somerset.

Middlesex can look forward to home advantage in the play-off, with Gloucestershire looking their most likely opponents, depending on the outcome of the final Division One fixtures.