Somerset, the dominant force with two T20 titles in the last three seasons, appeared defeated when facing a daunting requirement of 80 runs from just 27 balls against Yorkshire.
The target of 162 established by the Tykes marked the lowest successful T20 total at Headingley this season, falling 31 runs short of the seasonal average.
Adam Lyth provided the primary resistance for Yorkshire with a spirited 64—his third half-century of the tournament—while Somerset’s bowling attack operated with clinical precision. Jake Ball led the charge with figures of 3-30, supported by two wickets each from Riley Meredith (2-27), Daniel Sams (2-29), and Craig Overton (2-36).
In their first T20 encounter this season, the hosts dismantled the defending champions early, reducing Somerset to a precarious 28-4 by the sixth over.
The middle order struggled significantly; Tom Banton, available via England release, departed for only one, alongside brothers Thomas and James Rew.
Further dismissals of Will Smeed (21), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (2), captain Lewis Gregory (19), and Daniel Sams (0) saw Somerset slip to 59-7, leaving them needing 103 runs from their final eight overs.
