Somerset through to C&G final after a thriller

Just to prove cricket is a batsman's game, Somerset and Kent shared nearly 700 runs in an unbelievable C&G Trophy semi-final at Taunton. Chasing Somerset's massive 344/5, Kent were bowled out for 339 in the last over.

Kent looked to have won the game before losing their last four wickets for three runs. Mark Ealham was last to go, superbly caught by Keith Dutch at mid-wicket. This was a brilliant, scintillating game which those present will never forget.

Ealham (36) and Paul Nixon (33) played beautifully to set up victory. With the game all but won, Nixon backed-up too far and was run-out by Dutch. James Golding followed him back to the pavilion, brilliantly run-out by a dive and throw from twelfth man Simon Francis. Matthew Bulbeck, who won his county cap today, then bowled David Masters for nought. Bulbeck's last over went for just two runs and put the pressure on.

Ian Blackwell smashed 86 from 53 balls, while there were thrilling half centuries from Peter Bowler, Michael Burns, Matthew Fleming and Andrew Symonds. A full-house sang, drank and roared through a warm, sunny day.

In a game littered with phenomenal displays of clean hitting, Blackwell stood out. The burly left-hander is considered to be one of the hardest hitters on the circuit. This knock was full of dashing drives and massive heaves, with the odd elegant touch thrown in.

After reaching 50 from 32 balls, Blackwell launched a six straight down the ground. He survived a chance on 83, badly dropped by Fleming at long-on. Symonds made no mistake at long-off shortly afterwards but the damage had been done.

Parsons (32) Rob Turner (19 not out) and Dutch (12 from three balls) found the middle of the bat at the death. Only Ealham (one for 40) escaped with much credit as the last over was hit for 20 runs.

Bowler's 70 had helped set things up, while Burns accelerated well in an exemplary 72. Always strong on the leg-side, 39-year-old Bowler also cut and drove well behind square. He looked set for a century before he was bowled by a dipping in-swinger from Symonds.

Burns, a comparative youngster at 33, was even better. He accelerated after a slow start, hitting six fours and a straight six which struck an unfortunate cameraman on the head. He went going for another big shot, caught well as cover by Fleming.

In reply, Kent looked like winning for much of their response. They may never have silenced a raucous crowd, but they did give west-country hearts some nervous moments along the way.

England hopeful Rob Key timed the ball well through the off-side, while Fleming hit well down the ground. Fleming raced to 50, pulling Bulbeck for consecutive boundaries as the reply set off at seven runs an over.

Key (42) fell victim to Parsons' golden-arm, the right-hander unfortunate to play on. With Fleming snicking a big drive and James Hockley clean bowled by Parsons, the game swung rapidly Somerset's way.

Never a man to shy away from a challenge, Symonds was soon finding the boundary. He got underway with three quality off-drives, and lofted Richard Johnson and Burns for sixes on either side of the wicket. After reaching his fifty with six fours and two sixes, Symonds fell sweeping to Bulbeck, Jamie Cox taking an easy catch.

David Fulton (48) and Matthew Walker's (35) timely consolidation put Kent in the driving seat once more. The pair added a priceless 70 with a mixture of good running and occasional boundaries.

Parsons' return bought immediate success as Fulton spooned a long-hop down the throat of deep mid-wicket. Walker followed in Parsons' next over, brilliantly caught at mid-wicket by Blackwell. Somerset then took their fans on a roller-coaster of a ride. They did not fall out, but they were perilously close to doing so.