Richmond cricketer Nick Gubbins helped Middlesex to a first County Championship Division One win of the season in dramatic fashion on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old former Kings House School student, who plays for Teddington when not on county duty, scored a half century in both innings, including a crucial 78 in the second as his side successfully chased a target of 402 to win at Somerset.

Gubbins, who scored 92 in the first innings, steadied the ship in the second knock after Middlesex lost Sam Robson and Nick Compton early on, before skipper Alex Voges (132) and James Franklin (115*) took the team to victory.

It was the third highest winning run chase at Taunton and it was a win that left Voges, who shared in a 200-run fourth wicket stand with Franklin, dreaming of a title challenge this summer.

“It was an outstanding win for us given our position on the first day and particularly without Tim Murtagh bowling in the second innings,” he said.

“I was very disappointed to miss out so narrowly on a hundred in the first innings, so it was good to get there, although I would have liked to stay with James Franklin until the end.

“James paced his innings perfectly and was totally unflappable as we got nearer our target. I believe we have a squad capable of challenging strongly in the Championship this season.”