Somerset, Warks into final

Somerset completed a convincing 95-run victory over Essex in their Clydesdale Bank 40 semi-final at Taunton to keep alive their hopes of a double-winning season.

The Sabres, who are also chasing their first LV= County Championship First Division title, will meet Warwickshire in next weekend's Lord's showpiece after the midlanders beat Yorkshire by four wickets in a rain-reduced match at Scarborough.

It will be Somerset's second final of the season after they suffered a heartbreaking defeat in last month's Friends Provident t20 final against Hampshire.

Somerset skipper Marcus Trescothick was again at the heart of another impressive batting display from his side as they racked up 312 for six batting first.

The former England opener plundered 79 from 62 at the top of the order to lay the foundations of a target swelled by some enterprising late hitting.

Nick Compton weighed in with 55 but the fireworks came from Jos Buttler (36 from 18 balls) and Arul Suppiah (42 not out from 20 balls) at the death.

Essex lost Mark Pettini from the first ball of their chase and with key men Alastair Cook and Ryan ten Doeschate both falling with the score on 33 they never truly recovered. The last five wickets fell for just nine runs as they could muster just 217 from 29.3 overs.

Warwickshire ended Yorkshire's own bid for a trophy double as they chased down a revised target of 260 off 37 overs with seven balls to spare. Darren Maddy proved his side's match-winner after a late collapse saw them slide from 203 for two to 216 for five.

The last three overs arrived with Warwickshire still requiring 23 to win and the issue was effectively settled by Maddy who lashed Steve Patterson for consecutive sixes over mid-wicket and long leg.

Rikki Clarke was bowled two balls later but the pressure was now off Warwickshire and two fours for Maddy off Anthony McGrath in the penultimate over saw the Bears home.