Willoughby stars as Northants stumble
Zander de Bruyn was once again among the runs for Somerset, hitting 83 as they eased past group leaders Northants
South African seamer Charl Willoughby claimed four wickets for just the third time in his Twenty20 career as Somerset sent Northamptonshire crashing for the first time this season.
The 34-year-old ripped through the Steelbacks top order, finishing with figures of 4-29, as Somerset comfortably defended a competitive 163 at Wantage Road.
Fellow Protea Zander de Bruyn did the damage with the bat for the Sabres smashing 83 off 64 balls - with just three wickets falling during their 20-over stint.
Australian veteran Ian Harvey looked good in reply for Northamptonshire, hitting a quickfire 30 - but once he was dismissed they fell apart slumping to 133 for nine and ending 30 runs short.
It was the first Twenty20 defeat of the season for the Steelbacks, who now sit just two points above the Sabres in the Midlands/Wales/West division with 10 points from six games.
The hosts could not have asked for a better start after conceding just three runs from the first over and snaring former England opener Marcus Trescothick for one courtesy of South African Andrew Hall.
Somerset hit just 31 off the first six overs and when wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter fell for 23 shortly after with the score at 45 a dark cloud threatened to loom over their innings.
However, resilient and powerful batting from de Bruyn ensured a competitive total was posted – even when James Hildreth was dismissed by Australian Ian Harvey late on.
Supported by a 21-ball 34 from Peter Trego – de Bruyn hit seven fours and two sixes and the duo took 44 from the last three overs.
Northamptonshire started with the bat as well as they started with the ball and looked on course for their sixth straight victory when Harvey and Rob White bludgeoned 44 from the first four overs.
But White then fell to seamer Mark Turner for 15 and Willoughby picked up the wickets of Steven Crook, for a duck, and Harvey to put Somerset on top.
Hall also went cheaply as the hosts slipped from 45 without loss to 69 for five, while wicketkeeper Riki Wessels’ steady 26 off 28 balls was not enough to mount a serious charge.
When he went with the score at 91 for six the Steelbacks were all but dead and buried and tight bowling from Turner (2-20) and Alfonso Thomas (2-22) saw Somerset home.
