A CAREER best 141 from acting skipper Craig Overton, supported by a good all round batting and bowling performance, helped Somerset to a ten-wicket win over Essex in the Championship at Chelmsford - with a day to spare.

After being asked to bat Essex had reached 77 of two when Tom Lammonby entered the attack. The left arm seamer proceeded to claim the wicket of top scorer Dean Elgar for 40 and Matt Critchley three balls later.

Miguel Pretorius accounted for Charlie Allison, caught by Tom Abell for 49 with the total on 105, after which the remaining wickets fell cheaply before Essex were all out for 149 in 50.6 overs.

Lammonby ended with two for five from his two overs, Overton claimed two for 35, Jake Ball ended with two for 34, while debutant Josh Shaw, who signed in the winter from Gloucestershire, enjoyed figures of three for 30.

When the visitors responded they slipped to 16 for three in the sixth over before Abell and James Rew saw them to 73 when the former skipper was dismissed for 42.

Rew and Lewis Goldsworthy then enjoyed a partnership, taking the total onto 114 when the former was out for 48.

At this point the acting captain strode to the wicket to join Goldsworthy and between them the sixth wicket duo added 98 in 27 overs before the Cornishman went for 42.

With Tom Kohler-Cadmore sustaining a hand injury while fielding, replacement batter Will Smeed, making his championship debut, came into join Overton.

After making a cautious start Smeed offered good support for Overton and between them the pair saw the score to 330 before the senior partner was out for 141, which came off 180 balls and included 19 fours and three 6s.

Smeed fell in the next over with no addition to the total for a patient 39 which came from 77 deliveries and contained five 4s. With 20 runs needed for the third batting bonus point Somerset fell just short, all out for 348.

Batting for a second time 199 in arrears, Essex quickly found themselves 45 for three before opener Paul Walter and Critchley came together and started to build a partnership.

With the score on 141, however, Overton removed Critchley for 59 and then four overs later he caught and bowled Walter for 70. When the skipper caught Michael Pepper off Ball for no score Essex were 151 for six.

Wiaan Mulder offered some resistance making 31 before being caught by Rew off Pretorius and Shane Snater hit 27 before he fell to the same bowler as Essex were all out for 245. Pretorius ended with three for 64, Ball three for 67 and Overton two for 46.

Needing 46 for victory opener Archie Vaughan, who was Somerset’s second injury replacement, this time for Goldsowthy, made light work of the target and helped the visitors reach 49 without loss in just 5.4 overs, of which he made 41 not out off 25 balls with six 4s and two 6s.

This result sees Somerset top Division One of the Rothesay County Championship, one point clear of reigning champions Nottinghamshire.

The Cidermen are next in action on Friday when they travel to Southampton to play against Hampshire, who notched up their first win earlier this week when they beat Yorkshire by 214 runs.