Twenty20 Cup, Bristol: Gloucestershire 227-4 beat Somerset 200 by 27 runsSomerset's defence of their Twenty20 title came to a grisly end at Bristol as they were unable to chase a target of 228 to beat Gloucestershire.
The hosts closed out their fifth win in six starts after Chris Taylor had pummelled 83 off just 34 balls.
The consistent Justin Langer hit 49 in Somerset's reply but they were bowled out for 200 with four balls remaining.
Spinners Martyn Ball took 3-23 and Ian Fisher 2-33 and Gloucestershire are poised for a home quarter-final.
The one moment of controversy in the match came when Somerset captain Cameron White was run out for nought by Craig Spearman after being sent back by Langer.
White threw himself full length to regain his ground and was clearly unhappy with the decision.
"It was another disappointing result. We probably let Gloucerstershire get 20 runs too many, but I was pleased with the way our batsmen applied themselves chasing such a big target," Somerset coach Andy Hurry told the club's website.
"We will use our remaining matches in the competition to look at other players and prepare ourselves for the Pro40 league, which is now very important for us."
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