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D J Rutnagur at Hove

Somerset (168-2) bt Sussex (167-8) by 8 wickets

AFTER their two main guns, Michael Di Venuto and Chris Adams, were stilled in the first 12 overs, Sussex had to tread carefully against a disciplined Somerset attack backed up by keen fielding. They struggled to strike a balance between seeking acceleration and preserving wickets.

Richard Montgomerie, who made 43 off 96 balls, and Robin Martin-Jenkins steadied the boat with a third-wicket stand of 45 from 13 overs, but then wickets fell in quick succession and Sussex, with four standing, began their last 10 overs with 114 on the board.

In the over after Di Venuto had cracked Andy Caddick through the covers for the only boundary he conceded in his nine overs, Di Venuto was lbw missing a deflection off Steffan Jones.

Adams pulled and drove Jones for three fours in the innings' 10th over, but holed out to mid-on in his next. Two on-side fours by Montgomerie in Paul Jarvis's first over gave some impetus, but it was short-lived.

Montgomerie tried to break free with a pull at Jason Kerr and was superbly held at deep square-leg by Jones. Martin-Jenkins, who made 26 off 52 balls, was one of three victims Keith Parsons claimed in as many overs while the score moved from 99 to 113.

Tony Cottey, with 33, gave the innings a late boost and James Kirtley plundered 16 in the final over.