Somerset had to settle for eleven points from their vital championship match against Kent which ended in a draw in Taunton today after the rain played it's part in yet another of their championship results.

Resuming this morning on 265 for 4 the Cidermen lost Peter Bowler early on for 81 and took their score on to 316 for 9 before they declared late in the morning leaving their opponents a target of 377 for victory.

With the half century in sight paceman Simon Francis struck three times in a single over to reduce the White Horse county to 50 for 3, before the players left the field for rain.

By the time they returned almost forty minutes had been lost. The visitors lost a further wicket with the score on 116 but when eventually the game concluded after 61 overs they had taken their score onto 171 for 4, with Francis ending with 3 for 44.

After the close of play Kevin Shine told me: "This was a rain effected day which spoilt the outcome for us. Simon Francis took three wickets in one over, but immediately afterwards the rain came down and we lost some time and vital overs. When we resumed the game had lost a bit of momentum and Kent weren't so interested in the run chase."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's NUL National League game between the Sabres and the Spitfires which gets underway at 12 noon at the County Ground the coach told me: " We will be giving some of the young players another chance tomorrow, Arul Suppiah, Wes Durston and Pete Trego will all be playing."

The full Sabres team will be: Jamie Cox, Piran Holloway, Arul Suppiah, Pete Trego, Ian Blackwell, Rob Turner, Wes Durston, Keith Dutch, Matt Bulbeck, Simon Francis and Steffan Jones.

© SOMERSET