DIRECTOR of cricket Steve Rhodes says he is really proud of his team after Worcestershire defeated Somerset by an innings an 62 runs in the LV= County Championship Division One clash at New Road.

Worcestershire triumphed with a day and a half to spare to register their first win since gaining promotion back to the top-flight.

Rhodes highlighted the performances of Charlie Morris, Joe Leach, Ben Cox and Alex Gidman as the County claimed 23 points.

He said: “We all know how tough this division is going to be for us but to win a game early in the campaign is really important for the team’s confidence.”

Rhodes added: “Outstanding performances in this game were Joe Leach, with the runs (95) and wickets (five) he got and Charlie Morris’s two new-ball spells in both innings have been unbelievably good.

“They were very much Alan Richardsonesque in the way he hit a line and length at a lively pace, nipped the ball around and made life very difficult for some excellent Somerset batsmen. His spells were brilliant.

“Coxy and Leachy’s 150-plus partnership, and Coxy in particular in getting a hundred, that changed the game to an extent and it put us well ahead and really set up the situation.

“I’m really pleased with all the boys but those in particular did a great job.

“One other player to mention is Alex Gidman. Without his determined innings setting the platform then, potentially, things like Coxy and Leachy’s partnership might not have happened.

“That changed the momentum of the game. It reminded me a little bit of Shants (Jack Shantry) and Leachy and their partnership against Surrey last season.

“In the context of the game, it was a great effort when you consider we’ve got 20 wickets against Somerset for 340 runs.”