Wood sparkles for Somerset
Matthew Wood hit 94 off just 35 balls for Somerset
Matt Wood produced a superb innings of 94 off just 35 balls to inspire Somerset to a 15-run Twenty20 Cup win over Worcestershire at Taunton.
Wood blasted 12 fours and four sixes with some glorious strokeplay as the Sabres ran up an impressive 210-for six - Carl Gazzard was next top scorer with 29.
The visitors had a chance while Graeme Hick was hammering 87 off 45 deliveries, including eight fours and six sixes.
But after he was bowled by Ian Blackwell the asking rate proved too much for the Royals and they closed on 195 for five.
England Under-19 batsman James Hildreth was the pick of the Somerset bowlers, with 1-28 from four accurate overs of medium-pace.
Hildreth kept his head at the end when a major assault on Andy Caddick (no wickets for 52 runs) threatened to spoil Somerset's night.
Earlier, Wood was totally undeterred by the early loss of Graeme Smith and Keith Parsons, which left Somerset 7-2 after two overs.
The 24-year-old Devonian can rarely have struck the ball better as his 94 came out of the first 127 runs scored by his team.
Successive sixes off Ray Price were superbly timed and contributed to a second wicket stand of 120 with Gazzard, which occupied less than nine overs.
Wood struck magnificent shots on both sides of the wicket and proved impossible to bowl to.
Gazzard provided sensible support in making his 29 off 30 balls, but when he and Hildreth fell in quick succession it was 154 for five in the 15th over with work still to do.
Worcestershire bowled full at Ian Blackwell (21 not out) to frustrate the big-hitting left-hander, but brisk contributions from Wes Durston (16) and Arul Suppiah 18 not out at the end ensured a 200-plus total.
Hick looked in the sort of form to make light of it as he tried to match Wood's innings.
Two stunning sixes in an over from Caddick looked like making a game of it, but he lacked support.
Despite big efforts from Zander de Bruyn (25) and Stephen Peters (26 not out) the Royals could not prevent the required run-rate rising and they needed 25 off the last over, bowled by the cool Hildreth.
