SOMERSET had to settle for a high scoring draw from their last home championship match of the season against Hampshire.

Needing to gain as many points as possible to keep their slender hopes of lifting the title alive and also to compensate for the threat of a points deduction following their rout of Durham back in June, the Cidermen took 16 from the game.

After the opening day was lost to initially the rain and then the wind Somerset won the toss which, at 99 for five, looked to have been the wrong choice. However Tom Abell was joined by Kasey Aldridge who despite the fact that he is leaving at the end of the season to join Durham played one of the best innings of his Somerset career.

The two home grown players remained together for the next 52 overs during which they added 221 for the sixth wicket before Abell was out for 118, which came from 189 deliveries with 14 fours. This was the former skipper’s 20th first class century and saw him pass 1000 first class runs for the season.

Aldridge then added 107 with Craig Overton before the young all rounder was run out for a career best 180 which came off 233 balls and included 20 fours and six 6s, immediately after which Somerset declared, leaving Overton unbeaten on 50 off 42 balls with six 4s and two 6s.

In reply Hampshire were bowled out for 172, Jack Leach taking seven for 69 from his 24.3 overs with nine maidens while Archie Vaughan ended with three for 79 from 23 with five maidens. Following on, despite Archie Vaughan claiming a career best six for 96 Hampshire eventually managed to hold on for a draw ending on 201 for eight.