SOMERSET are through to the final of the ECB 50+ County Championship KO Cup after beating Cricket Wales in the semi finals at North Perrott by five wickets.

After choosing to bat Wales openers put on 50 together before Brian Stone struck. Martin Cox then claimed three wickets, including top scorers Tim Hemp (41) and Huw Evans (40), making the visitors 121 for 4 in the 34th over.

Jon Dalwood accounted for Syed Bukhari for 29 with the total on 151 after which Wales added just 27 runs from their last 6 overs to end 178 for 8 from 45 overs.

Sage ended with 3 for 21 from 9 overs, Stone claimed 2 for 35 off 8 while Dalwood finished with 2 for 45 from his 9.

When Somerset replied they lost Mark Sage in the third over with the score on 12 which brought team captain Kevin Parsons to join Mark Cox. Over the next 14 overs the pair took the total onto 56 when Cox departed for 26.

Andrew Fear scored a patient five off 26 balls. The skipper and Mark Tilley saw up three figures onto the board but after sharing a fourth wicket stand of 44 in 9 overs, Tilley was out for 21, followed three runs later by Gary Bennett.

With the scoreboard showing 125 for 5 and Somerset still needing 54 off 10 overs Parsons was joined by Jon Dalwood and the pair stayed together to see their side home, their unbroken sixth wicket stand worth 54 taking the hosts to 179, and victory with 11 balls to spare.

Parsons ended unbeaten on 80 which he scored from 97 deliveries and which included 7 fours and one 6, while Dalwood was not out for a run a ball 32.

In the final Somerset will face Yorkshire on Sunday 13th September at Kibworth in Leicestershire.