FRIENDS PROVIDENT t20, Taunton:
Essex 177-7 (20 ovs) beat Somerset 167-9 (20 ovs) by 10 runs
Match scorecard

Nick Compton had only previously hit one half century in Twenty20 cricket

Opener Nick Compton's best Twenty20 knock proved in vain as Somerset fell short in their victory bid to lose by 10 runs against Essex at Taunton.

Chasing Essex's 177-7, inspired by Ryan ten Doeschate's 48 before he retired hurt, Somerset looked well set on 99-0, with captain Marcus Trescothick on 40.

But, despite Compton sticking around to make 74, Somerset were held to 167-9.

Under new T20 skipper James Foster, it was only Essex's second South Group win, to aid hopes of a top four finish.

But Essex's win came at a cost with ten Doeschate's injury.

The South Africa-born Netherlands all-rounder was forced to retire hurt with a calf strain, having had to be helped from the field.

He was on 48 at the time, after taking his average in this season's competition to 73.75, having hit 295 runs in five innings.

Somerset looked in control at 122-2 in the 13th over, but a clatter of wickets saw them collapse, David Masters, Scott Styris and Danish Kaneria claiming two wickets each.

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