Image source, PA Media

It wasn't a high scoring Finals Day, but it was very definitely an absorbing one, with the best team in this year's competition coming out on top.

For Somerset to defend 142 in their semi-final and then 145 in the final against Essex speaks volumes for their tenacity, the skill of their bowlers, the safe hands of their fielders and their determination to find a way to win.

Essex may point to the caught and bowled by Matt Critchley during Somerset's innings which was ruled out by the TV umpire as a turning point in the game.

But like Surrey earlier in the day, their batters could not get the job done when faced with what seemed like a moderate target.

Thanks for your company today and throughout the competition.

So there it is, the moment Somerset fans have been waiting for - their team has won the T20 trophy for the first time since 2005.

Image source, Reuters

Matt: Congratulations to Somerset - fully deserved winners, to win 15 out of 17 is some going.

John Reynolds: Great final between two non-Test ground, non-Hundred franchise teams!

Lewis Gregory tells BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra:

“We’ve done it the difficult way in both games but it’s two superb performances on the biggest day.

“We’ve never really brought our best stuff to Finals Day and we weren’t at our best here today. To finally get over the line is very special.

“We’ve got a great squad and we’ve done some good recruitment so credit to everyone behind the scenes."

The wicket of Daniel Sams was Matt Henry's 31st in the competition this season, taking him one clear of teammate Ben Green.

His 4-24 from 3.3 overs was also enough to secure him Player of the Match honours.

Alex Jones: 18 years of #T20FinalsDay, external hurt - half my entire life - finally got there.

Anthony Gibson
BBC Radio Somerset cricket commentator

Somerset have played so well in this competition. They have won more games in the Vitality Blast than any other county in the history of this competition, 12 in the qualifying section and another three in the quarter final, semi-final and this evening's final. A great, great performance.

Glenn Maxwell
Australia all-rounder on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Sensational finish. You'll see that replay a lot of times. Somerset have been brilliant all season and they thoroughly deserve this win.

Chris Jackson: I mean if there was ever a catch that deserved to win a final, that was it! What a catch!

Neil Boughton: We've done it! Come on Somerset! Fully deserved this year.

Somerset have defended 141 and 145 today. They won 12 of 14 group games.

No side has ever won 15 matches in the T20 Blast before... until Somerset in 2023.

Don Topley
BBC Essex cricket commentator

Beautifully caught! Tom Kohler-Cadmore diving to his left to make a one handed catch. Oh my word what a way to end it.

WHAT A CATCH FROM TOM KOHLER-CADMORE

Daniel Sams thought he had cut a four but TKC takes a flying one-handed catch at backward point to spark wild scenes. 18 years of hurt for Somerset is at an end.

Matt Henry has 4-24.

Sams finishes with 45 from 26 balls. So close to pulling off a knock for the ages.

Anthony Gibson
BBC Radio Somerset cricket commentator

The trouble is the faster you bowl the ball the faster it comes off the bat, so Somerset need to be careful here.

for Daniel Samspublished at 18.1 overs

18.1 overs

Off Matt Henry's first ball.

Straight down the ground off a length. He has 45 from 24.

Game on.

Beautiful block from Sam Cook to finish the Sodhi over. He claims 3-22 from his four overs.

21 needed from the last two overs.

Daniel Sams will be on strike, he has 39 from 23 balls.

for Daniel Samspublished at 17.4 overs

17.4 overs

Essex 124-9 (target 146)

Daniel Sams says this is not over. He slogs a monster six over the longest boundary into the Hollies.

Nick Gledhill
BBC Essex cricket commentator

Stunning ... Just fantastic bowling from Ish Sodhi.

A mis-field from Matt Henry costs a couple of runs to Aaron Beard.

Beard risks a kamizake single to get off strike - he dives full length but still would have been out by two feet had the throw hit directly from Henry.

Sams goes straight down the ground off the final ball but can only loop it over mid-on for two.

Beard will be on strike with 31 needed from 18 deliveries.

Ish Sodhi will bowl his final over.