Cricket: Shine strikes to leave Essex in the shade

ROUND-UP

Kevin Shine polished off Essex, County Championship title contenders, to guide Somerset to a 10-wicket victory at Chelmsford yesterday.

Shine returned figures of 5 for 72 from 19 overs as Essex were bowled out for 129 in their second innings after trailing by 109 in their first. Graham Rose, with 3 for 22, and Jason Kerr, with 2 for 34, provided the back-up support as Essex succumbed in 37.3 overs, leaving Somerset to score only 21 for victory.

The Australian Stuart Law was the only batsman to offer any serious resistance, but his 55 was not enough to avoid the inevitable. Graham Gooch, who scored 23, was the only other Essex player to reach double figures.

Earlier in the day, Somerset advanced their score from 249 for 6 to 389 all out, thanks largely to an unbeaten 80 from Rob Turner.

Glamorgan look poised to go to the top of the table today after dominating the third day of their match against Gloucestershire at Swansea.

With the leaders Middlesex struggling against Lancashire and second placed Essex losing in three days, the Welsh county will be confident of taking advantage after forcing their visitors to follow on 186 runs behind.

Hugh Morris hit 173 as Glamorgan declared on 400 for 5, and then Dean Cosker took three wickets to help bowl out Gloucester for 214. By the close the West Country side were 54 for 1 following on, still 132 runs behind.