De Bruyn keeps Somerset in the hunt

Zander de Bruyn's century ensured Somerset go into their final game of the season with hope of winning the title

Zander de Bruyn hit a splendid unbeaten century as Somerset kept their NatWest Pro40 Division One title hopes alive with a crucial 84-run floodlit victory over Worcestershire at New Road.

The former Royals all-rounder scored a run-a-ball 109 not out, including 14 fours, in the Sabres' total of 236 for five.

It proved far too tough a target for Worcestershire, whose bid to win the league was dashed when they were dismissed for 152 in 36.2 overs.

Somerset's second victory in successive days lifted them to within a point of leaders Sussex, who wrap up their campaign with a visit to New Road on Sunday 27 September - the same day the Sabres entertain Durham.

De Bruyn, 34, set up the last-day showdown with his first one-day century in county cricket, putting on 128 in 24 overs for the fourth wicket with Justin Langer, who made 45.

After winning the toss, the visitors made an uncertain start with ex-Somerset paceman Gareth Andrew, who took 3-49, ripping out Craig Kieswetter and James Hildreth in quick succession.

The last delivery of his second over accounted for Kieswetter - well caught to his right by wicketkeeper Steve Davies – and the first ball of his next over forced Hildreth to play on.

It was an impressive burst by Andrew, who followed up by having Marcus Trescothick caught at deep square-leg by Stephen Moore for 30 off 31 balls.

Andrew's initial spell produced figures of 5-0-23-3 and helped reduce Somerset to 52 for three in the 10th over.

Their fortunes, however, were lifted by de Bruyn and Langer, who took Somerset into three figures in the 21st over.

De Bruyn reached his fifty off 55 balls, having struck eight fours, but he then needed Kieswetter as a runner due to a groin strain.

The injury did not prevent him from dominating an excellent century stand with Langer, who caught at deep midwicket by Ian Fisher off a Daryl Mitchell full toss.

Fisher also held Peter Trego at long-on off Chris Whelan, but Arul Suppiah topped up Somerset's tally with 28 off 20 balls.

Worcestershire’s hopes of a solid start to their chase evaporated when Alfonso Thomas bowled Davies, a centurion in his previous two Pro40 innings, and Vikram Solanki inside the first eight overs.

It was a sign of things to come, with Ben Phillips adding to Worcestershire's discomfort with the cheap dismissals of Moeen Ali and Ben Smith.

Trego stepped in to oust Mitchell and Moore, who top-scored with 40 off 49 balls, to leave Worcestershire reeling on 88 for six, a position which deteriorated despite a 44-run stand in eight overs between Andrew and Gareth Batty.