SOMERSET director of cricket Matt Maynard praised the fighting spirit shown by his side after they suffered a narrow eight-run ( to read a full match report click here) defeat to Warwickshire in a thrilling Royal London One-Day Cup semi-final at Edgbaston.

The hosts amassed 284-4 batting first thanks to Ian Bell's unbeaten 94 and Sam Hain's 86.

Peter Trego (58) then took Somerset to 145-3 in reply before the innings was hit by four wickets, all lbw, in 12 balls from Jeetan Patel.

The Kiwi returned to end a thrilling counter-attack from Ryan Davies – who hit 46 off 33 balls – with yet another lbw decision to finish with 5-42 as Somerset's tenacious challenge fell just short at 276-9.

Maynard said: "We though 260, maybe 265, was a total we were looking at to chase, but they had a really good over late in the innings from Bell.

"It is very disappointing, but it was a really good game of cricket.

“It ebbed and flowed as a lot of one day games do and it's just disappointing for the lads who have really put it in in this competition.

“It is only the second game we have lost all the way through in the competition - it's just a shame it was the semi-final.

"We suffered a couple of decisions that didn't go our way, but sometimes you get that.

“It is hard when you get two in a game but when Trego and (Tom) Abell got that partnership together we just needed that to kick on probably another eight overs or so.

"It wasn't to be but the guys showed a lot of character and fight towards the end.

“Ryan Davies is a very talented player who showed how dangerous he can be and I am delighted for him."

Warwickshire will now face Surrey in the final at Lord’s on September 17.

"It was a pretty hectic game,” said director of cricket Dougie Brown.

“We posted a very competitive total – which we thought was going to be a really challenging ask – and it is testament to the way Somerset play their cricket and how deep they bat that they made it so close.

"All credit to Jeetan Patel who built the pressure which created the opportunities that earned his wickets.

“Then the way Chris Wright and Olly Hannon-Dalby bowled under pressure at the end was just outstanding.

“They held their nerve brilliantly well.”