Northants scent first Championship win of season

Northamptonshire's hopes of notching a first Championship win of the season were boosted by four wickets in the final session to leave Somerset hanging on by their fingernails at Wantage Road.

Darren Cousins and Paul Taylor both struck twice as the visitors slumped to 130-4 at the close, still needing a further 138 to avoid an innings defeat.

Northants were finally dismissed for 567 in mid-afternoon, after a record-breaking stand of 161 in 38 overs for the eighth wicket between skipper David Ripley and his deputy, Tony Penberthy.

Ripley was last out for 95, including a six and 14 fours, while Penberthy stroked a dozen boundaries in his fluent 80. Their partnership was a new county best for that wicket against Somerset, surpassing the 145 posted by Penberthy and Curtly Ambrose at Taunton in 1994.

But there was disappointment for Mal Loye, who added only three to his overnight 194 before becoming Steffan Jones' fourth wicket of the innings.

Richard Johnson wrapped up proceedings by removing both men to finish with commendable figures of 5-127 from 40.1 overs, while Jones, his hard-working pace partner, claimed 4-121 from 36.

Northants were hoping for an early breakthrough when Somerset went in again, but they were denied it when Graeme Swann spilled a chance in the gully offered by Bowler before he had scored.

Bowler (60) and Holloway (30) opened up with 97 in 31 overs, but when they both fell in the space of three overs - quickly followed by Mark Lathwell and Michael Burns - Northants were able to scent a much-needed win.