Image source, PA Media

Whether you're dressed as a traffic cone in the Hollies or a professional cricketer trying to win one of the most prestigious white-ball competitions in the world, memories are forged on Finals Day that will last a lifetime.

What a spectacular day this has been. Somerset won 11 of their 14 matches in the group stage and then saw off Bears and Lancashire to book a date with Hampshire, who had Chris Lynn to thank for their place in the final, hitting 108 not out from 51 balls in a chase of 155.

The final lived up to the hype. Hampshire made a blistering start but were gradually pegged back just enough that their own batters were able to complete a record Finals Day run-chase - beating the previous best by 22 runs.

Will Smeed came within six runs of joining Lynn as the only Finals Day centurions while skipper Lewis Gregory hit two sixes in three balls to win it with six balls to spare.

Astonishing cricket drama.

If you like that, we'll have plenty more for you from Monday, as Surrey and Nottinghamshire, one point apart at the top of the County Championship, meet at The Kia Oval, while Hampshire visit Somerset in Division One too.... bit awkward after tonight.

Thanks for your company on this mammoth day, we'll see you at 10:00 BST on Monday.

Hampshire head coach Adrian Birrell speaking to BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra: "I thought we did quite well to get to 194. Toby Albert and James Vince were outstanding then we had a little bit of a cameo at the back from Benny Howell, so you kind of think at halfway you've got a score and then for a long time during that innings we were in the game but we couldn't quite just peg them back. Every over and boundary they were getting, I don't think we executed that well.

"It was quite difficult to defend here with the outfield being so slick with the dew that had come in. A bowler going down in Chris Wood didn't help either but we weren't quite on it with our execution and that hurt us.

"They batted very, very well. Will Smeed played a match-winning innings in a final and all credit to him.

"I'm very proud of my team, it was a good campaign from us but we fell at the final hurdle and unfortunately cricket is cruel."

Somerset's Lewis Gregory speaking to BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra: "Unbelievable, super chuffed for the boys, we did it the hard way again.

"It's great to be part of this team. Year in, year out we're challenging for this trophy and to get over the line is mighty special.

"It's much easier out there than to be watching, I guess you're in control of things. When you're watching, you're wishing the lads to smash a few out of the park and to do it is an amazing feeling.

"We've been in tough spots and someone has pulled us out. We've got a team with guys who can win matches on their own and we've seen that over the past few games."

Somerset's Will Smeed speaking to BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra: "It's unbelievable, you work hard all season and to get over the line is a great feeling, we can celebrate tonight now so it feels a lot better when you win for sure.

"The ball seems to fly here especially under the lights and the dew comes in so we always knew we had a chance. It was some proper hitting from Lewis [Gregory] at the end there as well.

"It almost felt like a home crowd today, especially given as we beat Warwickshire in the quarters.

"The guys have been unbelievable in the whole comp, different people have stood up in different games, I think that's probably our strength, we've got match winners one to 11 and if it's someone's day they can get us over the line."

Michael Carberry
Former England batter on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

You've got to tip your hat to Somerset, many many congratulations.

Whether your a fan of Somerset or Hampshire you've got to say that you've been royally entertained in this final and its how finals should be. The two best teams duking it out all day, swings back and forwards, there was no clear winner. Even with six balls to go you couldn't pick a winner.

Tell you what, we have had some stunning Finals Days down the years, featuring both Hampshire and Somerset, but have we ever had a better showpiece than this?

Ton Kohler-Cadmore's knock of 81 in the first semi-final against Lancashire, Chris Lynn's astonishing and historic unbeaten 108 from 51 balls which helped Hampshire see-off Northants in the second, and then Toby Albert of the Hawks and Somerset's Will Smeed flirting with centuries of their own in the final.

The regular season was a hum-dinger, and the knockout stages might top them off.

If you can think of a better year, we're all ears...

Kevan James
BBC Radio Solent commentator

Was that a turning point when Sean Dickson was dropped on eight by Scott Currie? There was still batting to come from Somerset so that's questionable. That's one to be argued on the coach on their way home back down south.

It probably was a contributing factor at the very least but Will Smeed's 94 from 58 certainly guided Somerset home. For Hampshire, the wait goes on for their fourth title.

Somerset are worthy winners, they join Hampshire and Leicestershire as three-time winners of the T20 Blast title.

Somerset skipper Lewis Gregory told Sky Sports: "We like doing it the hard way.

"To drag it back after their powerplay to only be chasing 190 the boys did an awesome job.

"They never got too far away from us, we always knew one big over would bring us back to needing 10s. The boys in the middle rode that wave really nicely.

"I am super chuffed for the lads. We have got match-winners through our whole squad. We saw players step up tonight. It's amazing to be a part of this group.

"It was a brilliant cricket wicket and a great day."

Hampshire skipper James Vince told Sky Sports: It was a brilliant game, brilliant day all round. Somerset have been quality throughout and were too good for us tonight.

"We played some really good cricket but unfortunately we came up just short.

"We're disappointed not to get the trophy for our coach Adi Birrell who is leaving after seven years.

"Somerset are always a tough game. They have been awesome throughout and are deserved winners tonight.

"You could argue we could have another 20 runs but then they managed to find the boundary when they needed it.

"We just did not quite have enough in the end."

Gary Smee
BBC Sport at Edgbaston

Will Smeed, Toby Albert, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Chris Lynn have played some of the finest T20 innings I've seen today.

The ball-striking, the reverse ramps, the straight hitting... absolutely wonderful.

What a treat.

Somerset batter Sean Dickson told Sky Sports: "Will Smeed was special. He's worked so hard for this at all these Finals Days and he's finally got his big one.

"Lewis Gregory, 18 off that over is something ridiculous. I am very proud of the guys.

"It's that self-belief, trust the process, I am really proud of the guys. It's a really special day, a remarkable day in the calendar."

That was Somerset's eighth T20 final, and their third win after triumphs in 2005 and 2023.

As for Hampshire, they had won all three previous finals they had been in, in 2010, 2012 and 2022.

No team has been to more Finals Days than these two sides and no side has won more than their three titles.

This is a bit of revenge for Somerset's defeat by Hampshire in that 2010 final and means each side have now won three of their six Finals Day meetings down the years.

It might be a touch awkward on Monday, however... Hampshire visit Somerset for a four-day County Championship game at Taunton starting at 10:30 BST.

Somerset opener Tom Kohler-Cadmore told Sky Sports: "It's amazing to finish a campaign like that. Smeed, Dickson, Lewis Gregory - I love being part of this very special group, it's very nice.

"It's been a special year for me and having my child has topped it off but this is a close second.

"It's amazing to win a trophy for the fans and put right what we did wrong last year (losing the final to Gloucestershire)."

Anthony Gibson
BBC Radio Somerset

What a magnificent way to finish what has been a magnificent game of cricket.

A tremendous win for Somerset.

Will Smeed leading the way with a quite magnificent innings, well supported by Lewis Gregory and by the skipper Lewis Gregory who just took that last few runs by scruff of the neck and dragged Somerset over the line.

They've won with an over in hand and the highest total ever made to win the T20 Blast Cup.

This is their third triumph following on from 2005 and 2023.

Image source, PA Media

Hugely unlucky from Scott Currie as Lewis Gregory somehow digs a yorker out with the edge flying between his legs and away for four to fine leg.

Another two follow from the next ball before Gregory sends the next ball INTO ORBIT. An almighty six over long-on. Couldn't have middled that any better.

The poor ball needs some TLC after that.

Six runs needed to win...

A dot ball from Currie calms the crowd a little BUT THE NEXT BALL IS CLIPPED DEEP OVER MID-WICKET FOR SIX.

Lewis Gregory steers his side to glory with 18* from just five balls.

Sean Dickson ends 33* in his final T20 appearance for the club.

An historic chase, completed with six balls to spare.

Somerset have equalled Hampshire and Leicestershire as three-time T20 Blast winners.

Their legacy is complete.

Kevan James
BBC Radio Solent commentator

That was a great bit of cricket equally from the batter because Will Smeed has hit that hard, he's unlucky but James Vince has done a terrific job there in holding his nerve and holding that catch.

Hampshire are not out of the woods because Lewis Gregory is a top, top player.

Mark Davis
Former Somerset seamer on BBC Radio Somerset

This is the closest Somerset have been all night.

Can they get home? They really are in a position of strength.

Will Smeed moves into the 90s with a four to deep mid-wicket, his 14th, to go with a six, off the first ball of Benny Howell's final over.

Sean Dickson gets his timing absolutely perfect with a reverse paddle for six and you have to think Somerset are on top now. Hampshire need a wicket asap.

81 runs from 48 balls these two have put on.

Smeed returns to the strike on 93* but is limited to a single by Scott Currie at deep mid-wicket.

The final ball... IS ABSOLUTELY WALLOPED over deep mid-wicket by Sean Dickson for six.

19 off the over. Somerset's to lose, surely?

Scott Currie bowls the 19th.