SOMERSET will be looking to keep up the pressure at the top of the Vitality Blast South Group when they play in two successive matches at Taunton. They are due to play Glamorgan on Friday, July 4, before entertaining Essex on Tuesday, July 8.

Meanwhile, Somerset roared back to the top of the Vitality Blast South Group table when they won twice in two days, beating Hampshire at Taunton before travelling over the Severn Bridge to see off the challenge from Glamorgan.

On the Thursday night in front of another full house Somerset were put in by Hampshire when, despite 68 from Will Smeed that he blasted off just 37 balls and which included nine 4s and three 6s, they slipped to 127 for six in the 14th over.

At this stage skipper Lewis Gregory was joined by the Lewis Goldsworthy and the two added 82 in just over six overs to see the Cidermen to 207 for seven in their 20 overs. Gregory was run out off the last ball of the innings for 55 which he scored from only 27 deliveries and included four 4s and four 6s, while Goldsworthy proved again what a valuable player he is ending unbeaten on 29 from 16 balls with three 4s and a 6.

When Hampshire replied Lhuan Pretorius and James Vice gave their side a good start before both fell to Ben Green, the former for 37 and captain Vince for 57. Dewald Brevis weighed in with 36 off 16 balls before he, too, was accounted for by Green after which Hampshire were always chasing the game and ended on 192 for seven. Green once again was the leading wicket taker, ending with three for 40.

The next evening the Cidermen were in action at Cardiff against Glamorgan where all to often they have come unstuck. On the Friday, howeve,r they made no mistake and a clinical all round performance saw them home with 20 balls to spare.

After Glamorgan were put into bat first Matt Henry accounted for Kiran Carlson for 16 with the score on 30. Riley Meredith then turned up the speed and claimed his first victim of the night when he had Ben Kellaway caught without scoring. Henry then accounted for the other opener Will Smale for 16 and when Gregory bowled former Somerset player Colin Ingram for 7 the hosts had slipped to 42 for 4, which became 49 for 5 when the skipper had Cooke caught by Banton next over.

From this situation there was no way back for the home side as Meredith struck a further three times and Glamorgan ended their innings on 130 for 9. Meredith bowled like a train to end with 4 for 21 , Henry finished with 2 for 18 and Gregory 2 for 19.

Somerset openers Banton with 21 and Smeed 24 got the visitors off to a good start with an opening stand of 41 in 4.3 overs, Tom Kohler-Cadmore made a swift 38 off 29 balls before Sean Dickson and Gregory saw the Cidermen to 131 for 4 and victory by 6 wickets. Dickson ended unbeaten on 23 while Gregory was not out 14.

Somerset are currently enjoying a break from Vitality Blast action, instead being involved in Rothesay County Championship Division One matches.