SOMERSET Women lost one match and won the other as their T20 season got underway with fixtures against Essex and Yorkshire at Taunton School on Sunday.

The first match was against Essex and Somerset made a strong start, Georgia Tulip running out opener Jessica Bird before a run was on the board.

Essex steadily added runs and finished on 111-5, and Somerset also lost a wicket without scoring as Olivia Hamilton fell early.

Captain Sophie Luff was the mainstay of the reply but, when she fell for 48, Somerset needed a further 16 runs with two wickets required.

They nearly managed it, Jess Hazell finishing unbeaten on 13, but Somerset finished on 108-9 and lost by three runs.

Somerset bounced back to emphatically beat Yorkshire in their second match of the day.

Wickets were shared around the attack as Yorkshire were skittled out for 80, with Georgia Tulip (2-12), Lorraine Szczepanski (2-13), Niamh Holland (3-28), Nicole Richards (2-13) and Tilly Bond (1-14) all chipping in.

Luff was again in form in the chase, making 41 before she was caught and bowled.

Hers was the only wicket to fall as Nat Wraith (34*) and Richards (1*) saw Somerset to a nine-wicket victory which was sealed in the 19th over.

This Sunday sees a long trip to the north east as Somerset take on Durham and Cheshire at Hartlepool CC.