AFTER looking likely to miss out on qualifying for the quarter finals of this year’s Vitality Blast, holders Somerset won their last four remaining matches in the group stages to end up second in the Central and West Group table.

The Cidermen’s final two group matches were both at Taunton - and both resulted in resounding victories, over Northants on Friday and Worcestershire two days later.

On Friday in front of a full house Somerset’s Vitality Blast resurgence continued as they kept the quest to retain the title alive with a seven-wicket win over Northants Steelbacks at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.

The visitors posted 162 for eight after losing the toss, Lewis McManus staging a one-man show with a career best 76 off 43 balls, including seven fours and four sixes. Daniel Sams was the pick of the home bowling attack with three for 16 from four overs.

In reply, Somerset smashed 164 for three to win with five overs to spare, Will Smeed and Thomas Rew both hitting 46 off 20 balls in putting together a blistering stand of 74 in 5.2 overs that effectively settled the outcome. Tom Kohler-Cadmore saw them over the line with 38 not out, including the six to win the match.

On Sunday Smeed blasted a quickfire half century as revitalised Somerset beat rivals Worcestershire Rapids by 78 runs to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.

The in-form opener smashed 52 from 31 balls and shared in a whirlwind stand of 75 with Thomas Rew as Somerset posted 194 for seven after being put in on a used pitch at the Cooper Associates Ground.

Australian seamer Riley Meredith returned figures of three for 17 and Jack Leach took three for 20 to undermine the chase as the Rapids were shot out for 116 in 16 overs despite a defiant knock of 39 from Gareth Roderick.

A fifth win in six games saw the holders move above arch rivals Gloucestershire on net run rate and finish second in the group behind Northants Steelbacks, while Worcestershire missed out on a quarter-final berth.

Somerset will now face Yorkshire in the quarter-final on Wednesday at Headingly in Leeds and if they are successful will then take part in Vitality Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston three days later on Saturday, 18th July.

After Sunday’s victory Somerset head coach Jason Kerr said: “The boys can be incredibly proud of their effort, to win four games on the bounce and the way we have got better each game.

“We have played a lot better and we have been smarter in the second half of the competition. Will Smeed coming back into form has really helped and he has been consistent for a number of years and seems to just get better and better which has helped at the top of the order.

“As a unit with the ball and in the field we have got our mojo back and played brilliantly.”

Regarding Jack Leach who was making hid first appearance in this years Vitality Blast and was named as Man of the Match the head coach said: “We know Leachy is a world class performer and today he got his opportunity and Im really pleased for him as an individual today.”