TWO WINS in the space of 72 hours kept Somerset’s hopes of hosting a home quarter final in this year’s Vitality Blast very much alive when they followed up their impressive five wicket victory over table toppers Surrey with an emphatic nine wicket victory at Hampshire.

The Cidermen were almost clinical in the way that they brushed aside Hampshire who, after opting to bat first, were limited to 157 for seven from their 20 overs. Migael Pretorius, making his first T20 appearance for Somerset, took two for 22 from his three overs, while Jack Leach bowled four and claimed two for 23 - his best return so far.

Somerset batters made light work of their run chase after openers Tom Banton and George Thomas took the total onto 81 before the latter was out fo ra run a ball 29, which included four fours.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore then joined Banton and the pair remained together to see their side over the line without further loss, giving Somerset victory by nine wickets with 12 balls to spare. Banton ended unbeaten on 79 which came off 52 balls with seven fours and two sixes, while the other Tom ended not out 43 from 28 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.

On Friday night in front of a sell out Taunton crowd, Surrey chose to bat first and posted 182 for five, a total that was based on a 107 run fourth wicket partnership between Rory Burns who hit 62 and 59 from Sam Curran.

When Somerset replied local lad George Thomas, who was making his debut in place of the injured  Will Smeed, led the run chase against a top quality Surrey attack before he was out for 40 off 25 balls with six fours and two sixes which made the score 76 for two.

Kohler-Cadmore and Tom Abell then put on 67 for the third wicket before the former went for 51 which he scored off 32 deliveries with three fours and three sixes. Abell followed shortly after for 30 following which Sean Dickson with an unbeaten 20 and Gregory, 12 not out, saw Somerset home to a six wicket victory with an over to spare.

Somerset have just two group matches remaining against second placed Sussex at Taunton on Thursday evening  and an away match against Glamorgan in Cardiff Friday.