The right-arm seamer took 5-18 as last season's Division One runners-up started the campaign with a dramatic victory
Lewis Gregory has praised the spirit showed by Somerset as they upset Kent on the final day of their Division One opener at Taunton.
The visitors needed just 206 for victory but the inspired right-arm seamer ripped through the top order and finished with figures of 5-18, helping to dismiss their opponents for just 131 to deliver a 74-run win.
Gregory dismissed Sean Dickson with the first ball of the chase and never looked back, also seeing off fellow opener Zak Crawley (21) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (18) during a fine opening spell.
"Momentum is a massive thing in cricket and the partnership between George Bartlett and Jack Brooks at the end of our second innings probably helped us get off to such a good start when Kent batted," said Gregory, who finished the match with eight wickets.
"Taking a wicket with my first ball was a bit strange. It built on what George and Jack had done and we fancied our chances because the wicket was doing a bit all through the game.
"It's great to start the season with a win and particularly having had to fight so hard for it. We know there will be more tough sessions over the course of a long season and that the character is there in the team to bounce back from them."
SCORECARD
Newly-promoted Kent had looked on course for a first Division One success since 2010 but faltered at the last hurdle, despite the evergreen Darren Stevens' valiant 43 not out.
Assistant coach Allan Donald said: "There were a lot of positives to take out of the game for us. Without Joe Denly and Sam Billings, we still ran a very good side close and I was delighted with the way we bowled for most of the match.
"Somerset built pressure in our second innings and you don't come back from 50 for six. They showed what a classy First Division side they are by fighting back and turning the game around.
"Their last wicket stand really hurt us and we lost our way a bit during that period. Had we taken all three remaining wickets early we might have been chasing 140 and instead, it was over 200.
"I still thought our target was gettable. But they came out and bowled magnificently."
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