A CENTURY from Beau Webster inspired Warwickshire Bears to a dramatic six-wicket victory against defending champions Somerset in the T20 Blast.
Webster’s maiden T20 ton and a blistering knock from Dan Mousley saw the Bears claim their first Blast victory of the season with two balls to spare at Taunton.
Somerset posted an imposing 215-4 from their 20 overs as Jordan Hermann and Lewis Gregory scored runs freely.
However, Webster and Mousley combined at the crease to kickstart Warwickshire’s T20 season.
The result means the Bears remain bottom of the T20 Blast Central and West Group standings with one win from six matches.
Warwickshire won the toss and decided to bowl as Tom Banton (24) scored early runs with fellow opener Josh Thomas (11).
However, Webster (1-14) and Richard Gleeson (1-28) struck in quick succession to leave Somerset on 39-2 in the fifth over.
And Jordan Thompson (2-32) also accounted for James Rew (28) and Thomas Rew (0) in successive balls at the end of the 12th over with Somerset on 98-4.
The wickets sparked Somerset into the life as Hermann (90 not out) hit 14 boundaries in a 48-ball innings.
And he combined with Somerset skipper Gregory (55 not out) who cleared the rope six times in an explosive 26-ball knock to push the home side past the 200-run mark.
Chasing 216 for victory, the Bears saw opener Zen Malik (0) run out just three balls into their reply.
However, Rob Yates (24) scored quick runs before Webster (112) and Mousley (71 not out) enjoyed a stunning 145-run third-wicket stand.
Webster scored a first-ever T20 century in 54 deliveries as the Australian all-rounder punished the Somerset attack.
Mousley also quickly passed a half-century as Gregory (1-45) eventually accounted for Webster.
The Bears needed just five runs from the final over as Jake Ball (1-43) claimed the scalp of Ed Barnard (2).
However, Warwickshire kept their composure to seal a six-wicket win with two balls to spare as Mousley scored the winning run.
