Somerset Sabres slumped to another disappointing NUL defeat at Trent Bridge where they were well beaten by Nottingham Outlaws.

This defeat now leaves them at the bottom of the Division One table, and although they have matches in hand they will have to start to string together some results in this competition if they are to have an outside chance of avoiding what at present seems to be the inevitable drop to the lower division.

Batting first the Outlaws posted a challenging 239 for 9 of which Kevin Pieterson contributed 122. Pieterson shared in a fifth wicket 98-run partnership with Devonian Chris Read (38) before he was eventually eighth man out when he was bowled by Steffan Jones.

Welshman Jones was the pick of the Sabres bowlers, ending with 3 for 46, whilst there was also two wickets for Andy Caddick, who was making one of his rare NUL appearances for the county.

The Sabres reply once again got off to the worst possible of starts with the wickets of Mike Burns, Jamie Cox, Ian Blackwell and Keith Parsons all falling by the time that the score was only just into double figures.

From this situation there seemed to be no way back, but the oldest and youngest players in the team, Peter Bowler and Matt Wood, had other ideas and dug deep to put on 80 before the veteran Bowler was out for 44 to make the Sabres 91 for 5.

Wood was joined by rescue expert Rob Turner and together they saw the Sabres pass the hundred mark, but with the score on 109 Wood was out for a hard-fought 37.

Keith Dutch stayed with Turner for a short while but when he was out the Sabres had slipped to 124 for 7, which quickly became 133 for 8 when Francis was dismissed.

Despite a brave effort from Turner to prolong the innings he ran out of partners to remain unbeaten on 39 as Somerset were eventually all out for 170, to give the Outlaws a comfortable victory by 69 runs.

The Sabres will be looking for some quick revenge when the Outlaws travel back to Taunton on Monday for a day-night match, and some much needed points.

© SOMERSET