REVENGE was sweet for Somerset as seamers Craig Overton and Matt Henry led them to a crushing eight-wicket Vitality Blast victory over reigning champions Hampshire Hawks at sun-drenched Taunton.

Beaten in last season’s semi-finals by the same opponents, the hosts dominated from the start after winning the toss, Overton claiming three for eight from four overs and Henry two for 19 from three to leave the Hawks 27 for five.

The Blast title holders never recovered and were bowled out for 74, their lowest ever T20 total, in 16.1 overs, Ben Green taking three for 11 and Lewis Gregory two for 13, while Overton added four catches to his heroics with the ball.

It was a ruthless display by the Somerset seamers, backed by some razor-sharp fielding. In reply, the hosts breezed to 74 for two off just 9.3 overs, Tom Banton smiting 40 off 24 balls.

Somerset's man-of-the-match Craig Overton said: "It was up there as one of our best bowling and fielding displays since I became part of the team. I wouldn't mind carrying that pitch around with me because it certainly did a bit for the bowlers early on.

"We are hopeful that this could be our year in the Blast. We have added an international bowler in Matt Henry and strengthened our batting as well, so perhaps we can go one better than reaching Finals Day.

"The crowd here are always our twelfth man and there is nothing better than winning in front of them on a sunny evening at Taunton.

"I am still managing some tendonitis in a knee, which was affecting me at the start of the season. Because of that, I never expected to be selected by England.

"But it seems to be improving and I am getting back to where I want to be. It's a long summer and it remains a burning ambition to play more international cricket."