Somerset Bridge 162-8 Just two weeks after their sensational five-run victory over then champions PHC, Warwick were themselves dethroned in yet another exciting finish to a Western Counties game at Southampton Oval.

Saturday's semi-final saw Somerset Bridge -- beaten in all 12 of their previous league outings this season -- perform a Houdini-like escape as they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, fighting back bravely for a dramatic two-wicket win.

They now take on Southampton Rangers in the final at the Oval on September 9.

With Bridge in dire straits at 37 for five, they appeared headed for an embarrassing defeat against the new champions who were forced to play the entire game with just 10 men after guest Sammy Robinson pulled out.

Robinson was required by his league team St. David's -- and the rules meant Warwick couldn't bring in a substitute as the player had already been listed on the team sheet handed to the umpires.

Heroes for Bridge came in the form of skipper Danzil Dill, guest player Francis Richardson and Ryan Shepperd -- the trio all combining in vital partnerships.

Richardson was the top bat with 43 followed by Shepperd with 35 and Dill with 19 in a game reduced to 43 overs because additional time was needed for the wicket to dry following overnight rain.

Dill and Shepperd began the Bridge recovery as they added 33 for the sixth wicket, taking the score from 37 for five to 70 when Dill was caught in the covers by Warwick skipper Reginald Pitcher off Kion Butterfield who finished with four wickets.

But Bridge battled on and an even more outstanding partnership was to follow, this one featuring Shepperd and Richardson as they added 80 for the seventh wicket, taking Bridge within 10 runs of victory.

Richardson, who was the more aggressive, finished with seven fours and a six, assisted by a more subdued Shepperd who had no problem playing a supportive role while producing some elegant strokes.

But both players were dismissed before victory was reached, Richardson bowled by a bad ball from young Quincy Jones and Shepperd falling lbw to the same bowler with the score on 150 and 158 respectively.

However, vice-captain Corvette Lambert and Jermaine Nesbitt hung around and each scored four not out to steer Bridge to victory with seven overs to spare, Nesbitt hitting the winning runs with a forceful boundary through the covers.

Butteffield finished with four for 22 off just seven overs while Jones had two for 15 off 2.4 overs and Daniel Morgan two for 23 off only eight overs.

Earlier Bridge's young opener Adrian Burrows showed promise with an entertaining knock of 20.

Warwick, whose poor fielding hurt their cause, had laboured to 159 as they batted shorthanded.

Opener Perry Scott was their top bat with 38 while Morgan followed with 30, the pair adding 42 for the second wicket after opener Jones went for a duck with the total on 15.

Four Bridge bowlers combined to take two wickets apiece with Richardson finishing with the the best figures of two for 15 off nine overs.

Brian Gibbons took two for 24 off nine overs, Lambert two for 27 off eight overs and Dill two for 40 off nine overs.

Photos by David Skinner Champions Warwick, playing in red, and Somerset Bridge, in blue, made for a colourful contest in Saturday's third round match at Southampton Oval.

Early blow: Warwick opener Quincy Jones is clean bowled for a duck.