George Dockrell claimed his third six-wicket haul of the season to spin Somerset to a five-wicket  win against Durham, taking them to the top of the table in the process.

Dockrell took 6-29 as Durham were dismissed for 167 in their second innings, having conceded a first innings deficit of 16.

Set 152 to win Arul Suppiah with 73 and James Hildreth (31) shared a third-wicket stand of 83 as Somerset cruised to what in the end was a relatively comfortable win.

The result was enough to put Somerset top of the Division One table by one point – at least until Warwickshire’s game with Surrey is concluded tomorrow.

Somerset skipper Hildreth was full of praise for Dockrell after the game, telling the Somerset CCC website:  “George is a clever bowler because he changes pace and flight with great subtlety."

“No one could have predicted what was going to happen today because it was such a good pitch. But Craig Overton took a couple of wickets, bowling really well from the River End before George took over and that set the tone.

“Having actually forced a victory will be great for confidence and now we have to build on it by continuing to work hard. It has been a terrific effort by the young players in the face of all our injuries, but we have to keep it going.”

George Dockrell was his usual modest self, although he was relieved at his change of fortune after a few recent unlucky spells: “It’s funny how things change from game to game. Against Surrey the ball was going past the outside edge time and again, but we couldn’t quite get the wickets we needed.

“Today luck was on my side. I got a fair bit of help from the batsmen and a lot from our fielders, with the Overtons taking some good catches.

“The pitch was not turning excessively, but with my height I was also able to get a bit of bounce, which contributed to one or two of my wickets.

“There is a great camaraderie between the players. A lot of the young ones live very close to one another and get on great off the field as well as on it.

“This win will do wonders for confidence and I’m delighted to have played a part in it.”

It wasn't such a happy time for the other Irish in England. Ed Joyce and John Mooney both failed to score for Sussex firsts and seconds, while Eoin Morgan made just 8 for Middlesex. Tim Murtagh did claim 3-84 in the game at Lancashire though.

William Porterfield made 46 as Warwickshire edged ahead of Surrey, while both Niall O'Brien and Graeme McCarter didn't feature in the Northants v Gloucester game which got under way yesterday.