TOM Lammonby repaid Somerset’s faith with his first century of the season as the hosts ran up 214 for two after losing the toss on a rain-shortened opening day of the LV= Insurance County Championship match with relegation-threatened Kent at Taunton.

Having played in all 12 previous games without reaching three figures, the 23-year-old opener got the monkey off his back in style by hitting a brilliant 109 off 151 balls, with 16 fours.

The centurion said: “I am still learning my trade and about the ups and downs of cricket. Hopefully, what I have learned this summer will help me get out of ruts quicker in future.

“The season I have had will make me a stronger player and I look forward to the next few years ahead.

“I am a naturally positive player and if I get a bad ball I want to put it away. I think that is a good mentality to have."

Speaking on partnerships, Lammonby added: “Today I got some loose deliveries up top and they enabled me to get away. I made my first hundred with Tom Abell at the other end and I always enjoy batting with him, so I couldn’t have hoped for a better opening partner.

“Lewis Goldsworthy has waited for an opportunity this season and took it really well.

“Having been put in on a potentially tricky pitch, we could have been in trouble had we lost early wickets. So it was nice for me to bat for most of the day, even if I am a bit frustrated at getting out near the end.”