St. George's 207, 272 Somerset 228-8, 253-7 In the space of four balls on the last over, Clarkie Trott went from potential hero to villain after an overthrow for four by him from the long-off boundary with two balls remaining sealed a dramatic victory for Somerset in the 95th Cup Match Classic yesterday.

The moment the throw beat wicketkeeper Dean Minors at the far end and rolled to the boundary at 8.16 p.m. last night, hundreds of Somerset fans raced onto the field to celebrate their first victory since 1982.

Somerset needed five to win off that last over and when century-maker Albert Steede was caught on the long-off boundary by Trott off Eugene Foggo's first ball the match could still have gone either way.

Roger Trott failed to score off the second ball before getting a single on the third to give Andre Manders the strike on the fourth and with four still needed. He drove the ball to the boundary for a single but ended up with five when Trott's firm throw beat Minors and went for four more.

It was the first time the west enders had taken the cup from St. George's since Randy Horton's team pulled off victory in 1979.

This match was just as dramatic as the win St. George's achieved two years ago when they also scored against the clock to win by six wickets.

The target set Somerset, when they finally began their innings at 5.14, was 252 in 76 minutes plus the mandatory last 20 overs, which took almost two hours to bowl after decorated the scoreboard with a number of sixes.

In the 19 overs they bowled before the final 20, Somerset had posted 108 which still left them with lots to do in the last 20 overs. Fortunately their two most explosive batsmen -- Steede and Treadwell Gibbons -- were still there, having added 119 for the first wicket. The first 50 came in 35 minutes and the 100 in 71 minutes.

That stand was broken in the second over of the final 20 when Gibbons was stumped by Dean Minors for 60 after hitting four fours and three sixes.

And when David Adams got Jeff Richardson in the same over, to be followed by Janeiro Tucker's dismissal by Eugene Foggo in the next over to make it 123-4, the smiles had returned to the faces of the St. George's players.

However, as long as Steede remained there Somerset had a chance and he continued to blast boundaries as the score crept up to 145 with 14 overs left and then 169 two overs later.

Tempers flared in the 11th over when Albert Steede kicked the ball as he and Corey Hill raced for a quick single with bowler Charlie Marshall following up and hoping for a run out.

Marshall confronted Steede and other players also got involved before the umpires stepped in to cool the situation.

Another key wicket was taken when Eugene Foggo, who replaced Adams at the northern end had Hill caught on the boundary by Marshall for 25 to make it 182-5 with 10 overs left.

Roger Blades brought up the 200 with two straight sixes off Foggo in his next over and Somerset's target came down to 49 in the final eight overs. Blades' departure for a valuable 24 put more responsiblility on Steede who reached his first century in Cup Match with three overs remaining.

The Bermuda captain ended on 108 from seven fours and three sixes while Andre Manders, the only Somerset player to play in a winning cup Match team before this year, stayed there for 16 not out as victory was achieved. Adams finished with three for 53 from seven overs while Eugene Foggo claimed three for 69 from 11.

4.

There was nearly as much drama at the start of yesterday's play as the end as St. George's had two batsmen making trips to hospital inside the first hour after being hit on the head by the lively Roger Blades.

Opener Glenn Smith was struck in the first over after attempting to hook a short ball.

His replacement, Eugene Foggo -- surprisingly also helmetless -- was hit by a short Blades delivery 35 minutes into the game. Foggo needed five stitches to close a cut above his eye.

Both eventually returned, Foggo coming in at the fall of the fifth wicket on 115 and Smith when it was 148-6. The first wicket fell on 32 -- Marshall hitting in the air at deep mid-off to Gibbons -- before brothers Wendell (39) and captain Clay (47) put on 73 for the second Somerset rallies for rare Cup Match win The first wicket fell on 32 -- Marshall hitting in the air at deep mid-off to Gibbons -- before brothers Wendell (39) and captain Clay (47) put on 73 for the second wicket as the 100 came up in 125 minutes. The injured Wendell batted with a runner throughout his innings.

The balance was tilted back in Somerset's favour when four wickets went down for 10 runs between 12.12 and 12.34, including top scorer on the first day, Lionel Cann for a four-ball duck.

Dean Minors consolidated with 45 in three and three-quarter hours while Eugene Foggo batted for another 65 minutes after returning just before lunch to finish with 17. Gregg Foggo and David Adams added 20 for the last wicket in 30 minutes to frustrate Somerset who were anxious to make their run chase.

Hasan Durham produced the best bowling figures by a spinner in Cup Match since Eugene Foggo's 6-82 in 1988.

The first day ended a half hour early when a heavy downpour ended play at 7 p.m.. It wasn't too surprising to see Dexter Basden send St. George's back to bat at the start of the second day.

Somerset's decision to field first on Thursday upon winning the toss paid off after just 27 minutes when opener Glenn Smith was bowled by Hill for 20.

Wendell was next out for 27 from six fours and at 107-6 at 12.15, St. George's were struggling badly.

That was when Cann came in and he saved the innings with a dashing 70 from eight fours and three sixes, sharing in a last wicket stand of 50 with Gregg Foggo which enabled him to reach his 50 and also take the team past 200.

The wickets were shared with four bowlers taking two each. Janeiro Tucker, with one for 26 from 12 overs, was their best bowler, however.

In the Somerset first innings, Steede was also high man with 71 while Janeiro Tucker scored 57 and Jeff Richardson scored 30. Gibbons, on his debut, made 20.

After swinging a couple of times yesterday the match remained close right to the finish as the crowd was treated to one of the most exciting finishes in the classic's history.

MAN OF THE MOMENT -- Albert Steede certain to become the first Somerset player to win back-to-back MVP awards, was in the thick of the action whether fielding at short leg or blasting the St. George's bowling all around the Somerset field. His century yesterday carried his team to a dramatic victory by three wickets.

CUP MATCH ACTION -- Top, champions Somerset CC celebrate after spinner Hasan Durhamn dismissed Lionel Cann for a duck yesterday. Duck was one thing Glenn Smith forgot to do, as he took a blow to the head from a Roger Blades delivery. The St. George's batsman was checked by umpire Dennis Raynor before taken to hospital. Above, triumphant Somerset fans show their delight after their team won it all last night.