SOMERSET are through to the final of the 50-over 2nd XI Trophy after beating a strong Lancashire side by four wickets in the semi-final at the County Ground in Taunton on Monday.

The Cidermen now face Middlesex, who booked their place on Monday by beating Sussex at Uxbridge by four wickets.

After winning the toss, the Red Rose county batted first and got off to a flying start, but with the total on 37 in the seventh over Mark Turner bowled Gareth Cross for 28.

The introduction of Somerset's trio of spin bowlers - Arul Suppiah, Wes Durston and Munday - dramatically slowed the scoring rate.

Leg spinner Munday claimed a wicket with his first ball, when he had Paul Horton stumped by Carl Gazzard for 35 with the total on 114.

The Cornish combination of wicket-keeper Gazzard and Munday claimed two more victims as Lancashire eventually reached 244-5, with Munday ending with 3-36 off his ten overs.

In reply Somerset lost Matt Wood early on before Suppiah (30) and Durston took the total onto 84.

Soon after, Durston was out for 54, which brought John Francis (45) in to join skipper Keith Parsons and they added 92 for the fourth wicket.

Parsons remained steadfast at the wicket to all but see Somerset home before being sixth man out with the score on 229 in the 47th over.

The winning run was hit by Gareth Andrew - a straight driven four off Oliver Newby - to take Somerset to 245-6, with nine balls to spare.

After the game the Somerset captain Keith Parsons said: "It was a great win for us and I am absolutely delighted.

"The boys have played well in this competition and another great performance has got us through to the final, where we will be hoping to go one better than we did in 2001.

"Lancashire got of to a bit of a flyer but it was the same wicket that was used for the Pro40 game on Sunday when it spun a bit so we knew that the spinners would come into it.

"All three of them bowled very well for us and all went for less four-an-over to keep the lid on it."

Regarding the young leg spinner Munday, Parsons said: " Michael has done very well for us throughout this competition with Carl Gazzard claiming a number of stumpings and catches off his fellow Cornishman.

"We were always pretty much up with the rate right from the start and then it was just a case of hanging in there when they brought on their spinners.

"That was always going to be the hardest phase, but John and myself had a good partnership which got us close.

"I was a bit disappointed to get out so near to the end but Gareth Andrew came in and saw us home."