Somerset completed an 83-run win in Taunton to begin their Division One campaign with a victory while condemning Worcestershire to a second straight defeat.

The hosts didn’t add to their overnight lead as Tim Groenwald was bowled by Ed Barnard, leaving Worcestershire 278 to win. In the end it was Barnard, batting at No.8, who top-scored for the Pears, ending the innings 45 not out as Somerset’s seam attack of Lewis Gregory, Josh Davey, Craig Overton and Groenwald did the damage in just under 52 overs. Tom Fell was next top scorer with 41.

James Hildreth’s unbeaten second-innings 111, to follow up his 48 in the first, proved the difference between the sides. He was dropped four times in the game to leave Worcestershire rueing missed opportunities. Though it was Australian overseas player Matt Renshaw’s impressive 101* that got Somerset to 202 in the first innings.

Barnard’s stellar display for Worcestershire saw him take 11 wickets in the match. The 22-year-old right-arm seamer took his first first-class five-wicket haul in the first innings (6-37) and followed it up with 5-52. But that could save his team, who just over a week into their return to the first division of the County Championship find themselves two defeats from two.