Finals Day 2010 - Match reports
1st Semi Final: Hampshire Royals vs. Essex Eagles, Rose Bowl
The Hampshire Royals secured a spot in the Friends Provident t20 Final with a tense victory over the Essex Eagles.
The Eagles openers made a strong start to their innings before Alistair Cook was dismissed. Cook's wicket started a middle overs slump for the Eagles as young left arm spinner Danny Briggs continued his excellent form in the competition, with Essex only reaching 156 for 7.
Hampshire's openers also started confidently with competition leading runscorer Jimmy Adams and Abdul Razzaq setting a platform for the home side. A cluster of wickets gave Essex hope but the Royals held on to triumph with four balls to spare.
2nd Semi Final: Notts Outlaws vs. Somerset, Rose Bowl
Somerset's powerful batting lineup came to the fore as they held on to a 3 run Duckworth Lewis victory over the Notts Outlaws.
Marcus Trescothick gave Somerset a strong base before the Outlaws bowling lineup pegged back the West Country side. With six overs to go Somerset had reached just 107 for 5 and needed an unbeaten 55 off just 23 balls from Jos Buttler to reach 182 for 5.
A rain delay reduced target of 152 from 16 overs was looking challenging, however the Outlaws remained marginally ahead of the D/L rate until a stunning boundary catch by Kieron Pollard took Somerset ahead. When rain eventually came to end the match, the Outlaws were just three runs short of their target.
Final: Hampshire Royals vs. Somerset, Rose Bowl
After 151 matches it came down to the last ball of the competition as the Hampshire Royals snuck home against Somerset in the final.
Somerset again flew out of the blocks with Marcus Trescothick and Peter Trego starting quickly, and Craig Kieswetter capitalised late on as Somerset reached 173/6.
Again, Jimmy Adams and Abdul Razzaq got Hampshire off to a strong start however three quick wickets bought Somerset back into the match.
With just 11 runs needed from the final two overs, the Final was Hampshire's to lose which they nearly managed before scampering through for a single off the last ball to tie the scores and lift the trophy due to losing fewer wickets.
