SOMERSET took full advantage of the limited window for play made available to them on Tuesday, needing only 15 minutes to claim the final two wickets that sealed a 314-run thumping of West Country rivals Gloucestershire.

This was a match that Somerset dominated with bat and ball, making 237 and 223-1 declared, while dismissing the visitors for just 76 and 70.

Even so, it seemed a distinct possibility that wet weather would scupper their victory hopes for the second week running, having been on the cusp of a win at Warwickshire before the rain intervened.

Back at Taunton this week, it looked like Somerset's luck could be out once more, as rain and bad light allowed Gloucestershire to cling on to hope of a draw, at 63-8 at the close on Monday.

Tuesday got off to a less than promising start, as overnight rain had left the outfield saturated and prevented any play before lunch.

Yet umpires Ian Blackwell and Paul Baldwin carried out an inspection at 1pm, and gave the green light for play to start at 1.45pm.

After Jack Brooks completed an over he'd started the evening before, Craig Overton took possession of the ball and struck with his third delivery.

Josh Shaw went for a duck, well caught by a diving George Bartlett at mid-wicket, and Overton finished with figures of 5-26.

The end was not far off, as Brooks (1-8) finished the job by having Matt Taylor (3) caught by Tom Lammonby.

The victory gave Somerset 20 points, and with Worcestershire drawing at home to Warwickshire, it's now Somerset who lead the Central Group of the Bob Willis Trophy.

Somerset have 76 points to Worcestershire's 70, and the group winner will be decided by next month's meeting between the two at Grace Road.

A Somerset victory in that match could well be enough to reach the Bob Willis Trophy final; only two of the three group winners will make it, but Somerset currently have more points than North Group leaders Derbyshire (71) and South Group table-toppers Essex (70).