Record-breaker Graeme Hick finished on the losing side as Worcestershire fell to a 10-run defeat against Somerset in the Twenty20 Cup at New Road.

The 42-year-old, who was playing the 1,196th game of his career, top scored with 63 for the Royals, but they were restricted to 166-6.

A career-best 4-27 from Alfonso Thomas proved the match-winning effort.

Somerset's total of 176-7 was built on a stand of 79 between Peter Trego (47) and Ian Blackwell (43).

The pair came together after Kabir Ali had removed openers Justin Langer and Marcus Trescothick, and proceeded to lash eight fours and four sixes between them as they put on 79 for the third wicket.

Even their departure could not stop the scoring as Craig Kieswetter smashed 21 off 17 deliveries to maintain the momentum and leave Worcestershire's batsmen an uphill battle.

Worcestershire's hopes of launching their run chase with a prosperous opening stand soon evaporated when skipper Vikram Solanki offered a sharp return catch to Charl Willoughby after putting on 20 in three overs with Hick.

Steve Davies also fell cheaply when he drove spinner Omari Banks straight to Langer before Hick and Ben Smith improved the Royals fortunes with a 60-run partnership in seven overs.

It ended when Smith was bowled by Thomas, who turned the screw on Worcestershire by ripping out Hick and Kabir in successive deliveries, before adding Stephen Moore to his collection and ending the home side's hopes of victory.