Somerset Sabres rattle Gladiators

Somerset gained a measure of revenge for their recent run of defeats at the hands of their local rivals with a tense eight-run victory. Recovering from 20-4, the Sabres battled to record a morale-boosting eight-run victory in front of a Bank Holiday crowd approaching 3,000 at the County Ground.

The intense rivalry between the two sides was never far from boiling point, with Jack Russell's excellent contribution behind the stumps proving the catalyst for much of the heightened tension. Two late order stumpings restricted the home side after the middle order rally led by Keith Parsons (66), Rob Turner and Ian Blackwell.

Roundly booed to the wicket by the Somerset faithful, it was Russell's departure to a miscued sweep that exposed the Gloucestershire tail to an inspired spell from Steffan Jones. The Welshman, benefiting from a winter spent in the Somerset gym, eclipsed all other bowlers on show in terms of pace, ensuring the visitors lost vital wickets as their required run-rate rose.

The holiday crowd was slow to find its voice, only coming to life in the latter stages as an unlikely hero entered the fray. A greylag goose arrived to patrol the outfield with some aggression as the game was slipping away - but Somerset await his return with great anticipation - as soon as the bird appeared, the wickets began to fall. The bird even saved a couple of vital runs - being hit on the wing during its spell at short fine leg.

Despite the odd four-ball, Somerset seem to have made a very canny acquisition in Ian Blackwell. In addition to his batting, the former Derbyshire all-rounder bowled around the wicket from the start of his spell, and gave Somerset a measure of control. He captured the vital wicket of Jack Russell, who, until that moment, in partnership with Alleyne seemed to be timing the run-chase to perfection.

As wickets fell, Alleyne still looked capable of winning the game by himself, effortlessly clipping Steffan Jones' last ball, an off stump half-volley, to the backward square leg boundary. But Caddick was still to bowl the final over with 11 needed for victory. The England fast bowler had earlier chipped in with the bat and pounced for the vital run-out of Matthew Windows, who batted fluently for his 38.

Another run-out to the second ball of the final over left Alleyne stranded, as Holloway swooped to run out Mike Smith as he attempted to give his captain the strike with 8 still needed from 5 balls.

Earlier, electing to bat first, Somerset recovered from an inspired spell by Ian Harvey to post a 181, a total that was no more than adequate on a drying pitch. Keith Parsons batted responsibly to edge the Sabres towards a defendable total. Gloucestershire bowled and fielded with great discipline - Mike Smith bowling unchanged for figures of 2-11 from his nine overs.

The West Country - and the goose - awaits the next instalment of this ongoing battle with baited breath.