SOMERSET captain Tom Abell hailed the performance of his side after they beat Lancashire to secure their first home win in this season's County Championship.

Abell said: "It's a special feeling, especially after last week and getting such an important win against Warwickshire, to back it up at home and perform as we did on a wicket that I thought was tough at times - all credit to the way we bowled and fielded.

"In the first innings we were in a little bit of trouble but Steve [Davies] stepped up when we needed someone to step up and be counted - it was a real class innings.

"We put a good score on the board, and never looked back really. Getting the 20 wickets in the manner we did, I thought was a fantastic effort.

"With the ball we've been performing well, I can't say anything against our bowlers this season, and they just continued in the same fashion.

"There were times yesterday when there wasn't much happening for us, but we stuck in, there were phases when we looked very dangerous, and we capitalised on those moments."

The last two wins came after a chastening defeat at champions Essex, after which director of cricket Matt Maynard said the team played like they were 'resigned to relegation'.

Abell said: "Losing that [Essex] game in the manner that we did was possibly a bit of a reality check, and we were desperate to put it right. 

"A few honest words were said after that game, and we have put it right in the last two games."

On his own, much improved, batting form, the skipper said: "It couldn't get any worse, could it?

"Obviously I'm delighted to contribute, but I'm still searching for those big scores that win you games, like Davos [Davies] in this game.

"I'm starting to find more confidence which is important out in the middle.

"[Being captain] is nicer when you're winning, for sure. Obviously it's been tough this season, but I've enjoyed the challenge of it, and there have been times when it's gone pretty well and we've let ourselves down with the bat.

"There's nothing like winning, and as captain you feel the losses and certainly the wins a little bit more."

With two crucial matches away to Surrey and at home to Middlesex on the horizon, Abell added: "We're right in the mix now, but we can't get too carried away because we're not out of it by any stretch of the imagination.

"But it's very pleasing to have guys hitting form going into the last two games."

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DIRECTOR of cricket Matt Maynard said: "The boys have reacted fantastically [to the Essex loss], and in terms of attitude we've hammered the opposition in the past two games.

"Once again a big shout-out goes to Craig Overton, who set the tone so well in both innings - he took the two wickets this morning, and his attitude and aggressiveness were brilliant to see.

"Marcus Trescothick and Eddie Byrom also did well on the first morning, setting up our total of 335, which was probably about 80 above par on that wicket on the day.

"I'm hugely proud. We've got nine players who have come through our Academy, or Tres [Marcus Trescothick] and Tregs [Peter Trego] before the Academy was set up.

"To have nine homegrown players plus two class players in Tim Groenewald and Steve Davies it shows what talent we have here, and to do it without an overseas player is hugely rewarding.

"Someone like George Bartlett [who got 27 not out], that's a big thing for a young player - he played some brave shots out there, and that's wonderful to see."

Looking ahead to the Surrey match next Tuesday, Maynard added: "It'll be tough for sure, but if we can get some good batting points on the board and come away with a strong draw or a win, then it'll still be under our control for the last game of the season [at home to Middlesex].

"The squad will be the same 11 who have been unbelievable in the last two games, plus Paul van Meekeren and Roelof van der Merwe."