Nick Compton hits out as Somerset shine in the gloom at Glamorgan

Out came the white ball and the sunshine disappeared. Maybe the Good Lord prefers the four-day game. The floodlights were on when Somerset defeated Glamorgan by 38 runs. It was a relief for Marcus Trescothick, who has carried the Somerset batting this season, that someone else scored some runs and that his side registered their first victory after their arduous northern trek in the Championship. New signing Nick Compton hit 73 from 80 balls, an innings punctuated by pleasing orthodox strokeplay – until he was out lbw, attempting to reverse sweep. James Hildreth scurried to 68 from 59 balls to ensure the visitors a competitive total. So much depended on Glamorgan's roly-poly Australian opener, Mark Cosgrove. He had cracked 31 from 20 balls when he essayed a horrible heave at Alfonso Thomas's first ball – and missed. Tom Maynard, son of Matthew, offered the greatest threat thereafter. He may even hit further than his father, though not so often up to now in his career. One six over square-leg must have carried a hundred yards. Somerset fielded superbly – there were two sharp run-outs and Craig Kieswetter's replacement, Jos Buttler, an England under-19 player last winter, had a fine start with a bright little innings and a competent display behind the stumps. Elsewhere there were a few remarkable innings, though not all of them will have excited national selector, Geoff Miller, too much. Kiwi James Franklin hit an unbeaten 133 out of 230 for five for Gloucestershire , which enabled the home side to gain a much-needed victory over Derbyshire . Jacques du Toit (no, he can't play for England either) smashed 141 for a buoyant Leicestershire against Nottinghamshire . Hampshire have had a torrid five days up in Chester-le-Street, losing in the Championship in the final session and then being thrashed by Durham by 149 runs. Phil Mustard, a forgotten England batsman/wicketkeeper, cracked 74. Ian Bell, an absentee from England's one-day side, issued a reminder that he can bat against a white ball with a sparkling 88 for Warwickshire against Kent , enough to ensure victory for the Midlands side. There was relief for the London clubs as Middlesex enjoyed a straightforward win over Northamptonshire while Surrey beat Lancashire by two wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis method at Whitgift School. Yorkshire and Sussex , two sides who have been playing superbly in the Championship, both strolled to victory. Yorkshire beat Essex by 10 wickets with Andrew Gale and Jacques Rudolph hitting centuries, and Tino Best, the ebullient West Indian paceman, taking four wickets on his debut. Sussex beat Worcestershire by five wickets at New Road.