Somerset got off to a disappointing start in their quest to win the last-ever Benson and Hedges Cup, when they lost to Warwickshire at Edgbaston in a rain-affected match today.

Somerset skipper Jamie Cox won the toss and invited the home side to bat first. In an innings reduced to 41 overs Warwickshire made 263 for 6 with Nick Knight making what turned out to be a match winning 126.

Less than an over into the Cidermen's innings the rain fell heavily and the players left the field yet again. When they returned the Somerset batsmen faced the daunting task of scoring 222 off 27 overs, a rate of just over 8 runs per over.

From the start the home attack of Sean Pollock and Douggie Brown were quickly on top, and Warwickshire were aided by two fine catches, one by Trevor Penney to dismiss Peter Bowler, and the second by Nick Knight to dismiss Jamie Cox for 25.

A further rain stoppage left Somerset chasing 173, and by the end of their 19 overs they had reached 77 for 5, with Keith Parsons unbeaten on 25, to leave Warwickshire the winners by 94 runs, by the Duckworth Lewis method.

Somerset can justifiably feel that they fell foul of both the weather and the Duckworth Lewis method at Edgbaston today, and will already be looking forward to their next game in the competition that is against Glamorgan at Taunton on Tuesday.

With four games left in the regional rounds of the Benson and Hedges Cup Somerset will be keen to put today's disappointment behind them and get back to winning ways on Tuesday.

© SOMERSET