Clark carries Lancashire through

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Jordan Clark perished for 75 shortly before Lancashire second XI wrapped up an occasionally nervy three-wicket victory

Lancashire booked their place in the Second XI Trophy final for the third year in succession thanks to a three-wicket win over Somerset at Taunton Vale.

Runners-up for the past two seasons, Lancashire earned the chance to break that sequence as Jordan Clark’s well-paced 75 helped them overhaul a target of 175 with 13 balls to spare.

Lancashire’s victory also owed much to Nick Caunce’s 4-22, which limited Somerset to 174 all out in this 40-over semi-final.

Clark’s contribution, which spanned 93 deliveries and contained eight fours, was comfortably the highest in a Lancashire chase that was rescued from the depths of 20 for three.

The experienced Mark Chilton made 27 in a fourth-wicket stand of 60, before Alex Davies chipped in with 18. Although Clark fell with five needed for victory, Arron Lilley’s unbeaten 22 – off just 10 balls – settled matters.

Clark was one of two victims for Gemaal Hussain, whose 6.5 overs nonetheless cost 43, while Jamie Overton claimed 2-27.

Adam Dibble bowled tidily in conceding only 15 from five overs, having earlier hit a rapid 46 from number eight.

The efforts of Dibble and Calum Haggett, who struck 77, carried Somerset to respectability as Stephen Cheetham and Lilley shared four wickets, but Lancashire were not to be denied with the bat.