Craig Kieswetter blasted a brilliant 89 not out to lead Somerset to a thrilling four-wicket win over arch-rivals Gloucestershire in the Friends Life t20 local derby at Taunton.
A sell-out crowd of 7,500 saw the home side reach a testing target of 191 to win for the loss of six wicket with just one ball to spare, new overseas signing Yasir Arafat hitting a four off the only ball he faced to win the game.
Jos Buttler contributed a rapid 29 to a stand of 45 in three overs with Kieswetter, who faced only 55 deliveries, striking four sixes and seven fours. Gladiators paceman James Fuller kept the pressure on Somerset with 3-33.
Ian Cockbain had hit 63 off 36 balls, with seven fours and a pair of maximums, to help give Gloucestershire a competitive total. Hamish Marshall and Alex Gidman were the other main contributors with 49 and 36 respectively as Steve Kirby returned 2- 22 against his old club.
A magnificent game was in the balance heading into the final over, which Somerset began needing only five to win. David Payne bowled Craig Meschede with three still needed, but Arafat walked out to settle matters with a sliced boundary to third man.
Somerset bowled tightly in the opening exchanges after winning the toss. Arafat claimed the first of two wickets when Michael Klinger top edged a pull to midwicket and Kirby struck against his old club by pinning Chris Dent lbw for a duck.
After the six overs of powerplay the visitors were becalmed on 35 for two but Cockbain then went on the attack and, while Marshall was not at his most fluent, the pair added 110 in 10.5 overs.
Cockbain pulled the first six of the innings in the ninth over, sent down by Craig Meschede who was sent over the ropes by Marshall and Gidman as his four overs cost 54.
Marshall was one short of a half-century when leg-spinner Max Waller accepted a sharp caught and bowled chance. The first ball of the following over saw Cockbain caught at long-on off Kirby and Somerset looked to be reining their visitors in.
But Gidman struck some meaty blows in the closing overs and 190 for six could be considered par on a flat wicket in glorious sunshine.
In the end there was only one candidate for man-of-the-match and Kieswetter duly collected the award for a mature, as well as superbly skilful innings.