A strong Somerset side recorded a resounding victory over the West of England Premier League XI at the County Ground today.

In bright sunshine Somerset won the toss and batting first amassed 329 for five in their 45 overs. Keith Parsons showed that he has made a good recovery from his knee operation as he hit an unbeaten 154, which included five sixes and 20 fours. Ian Blackwell also had a good day with the bat and made 97.

With Mike Burns chipping in with 44 and Keith Dutch making 28 the West of England League XI openers faced a daunting prospect when they went out to bat.

Matt Bulbeck, another Somerset player returning from injury opened the bowling and had the miserly figures of 5 overs 3 maidens 2 wickets for 5 runs before he was rested.

The result of the match was never in doubt and with the exception of the Optimists and Clifton C.C. pair of Paul Redwood (30) and Richard Trotman (29) there was little resistance. Eventually the League XI was all out for 162 in the 40th over to give Somerset victory by 167 runs.

After the game Somerset Coach Kevin Shine told me: "This was a clinical professional performance, just what we were looking for today and everyone had a good run out. We had some good knocks by the batters, especially Keith Parsons, and the bowlers all performed well in match conditions."

What did he think about Matt Bulbeck's bowling, I asked. "Bully bowled beautifully, with pace and he was swinging it. He bowled some of those magic balls, and looked a yard sharper than he used to, which is down to the fitness levels that he has achieved during the winter- but this is just the start of it!"

I asked Keith Parsons how he was feeling after his innings. He told me: "At the moment I don't seem to have any after-effects. It was good to get out there on the grass in a match situation. I'm still not right and not confident to bowl in a match, but I'm improving every day."

Tomorrow Somerset take on the Somerset Board XI in another 45-over match at the County Ground.

The Cidermen rest Steffan Jones and Richard Johnson and bring in Joe Tucker and Simon Francis. Graham Rose comes into the side in place of Pete Trego who joins young bowling prospect Michael Parsons in the Board XI.

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