The Somerset players were all back in training at the County Ground in Taunton this morning after their innings defeat inside at the hands of Leicestershire last week that consigned them to the basement of the county championship next season.

This is the first time that the Cidermen have experienced life in the second division of the four day game and they will be looking for a quick return to the top flight.

Mike Burns who is only four runs short of his 1000 runs for the season and who has narrowly missed out on a century on four occasions including 97 at Grace Road told me: "We are all bitterly disappointed. We are all professional sportsmen and know exactly what is expected of us out there in the middle. We have been trying our hardest all season but it just hasn't been going our way."

Looking forward to the final match of the season against Lancashire at Taunton on Wednesday the all rounder told me: "Although there is nothing on it for us all the boys will want to do well to end the season on a high note to carry forward to next season."

Regarding 2003 he told me: "We will be looking to strengthen our squad with another overseas player and then bounce straight back into the first division in both the championship and the NUL."

Looking forward to the Lancashire game Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: "We will be playing for an immense amount of pride. We are all very hurt by what has gone on this season and we will be looking into the reasons behind it."

The coach continued: "Collectively there will be no taking our foot off the accelerator now, we will be doing the things that we have tried to do all season."

© SOMERSET