Gloucestershire pulled off their first Twenty20 Cup success at the third attempt with a 21-run over Somerset at Taunton.

Craig Spearman top scored with 51 in a Gladiators total of 162 for eight after they had won the toss. Richard Dawson hit a valuable unbeaten 27 at the end and Alfonso Thomas claimed three for 31.

The Sabres looked favourites at the halfway stage, but their strong batting line-up misfired as Steve Kirby claimed the early wickets of Craig Kieswetter and Marcus Trescothick. Spinners Dawson and Vikram Banerjee tied down the middle order and Somerset closed on 141 for five.

Home supporters in a near sell-out crowd had precious little to cheer as Gloucestershire fielded better and bowled a better line and length. It took some lusty blows from Peter Trego (44 not out) at the death to even get the Sabres close - and he had been dropped on one by wicketkeeper Steve Adshead.

Earlier, Spearman had come in with Gloucestershire 33 for two in the fourth over and soon looked in the sort of form to win the game. He took just 26 balls to reach a superb half-century, with six fours and a six over square leg off Zander de Bruyn.

The New Zealander came up with some clean hitting that Somerset were never able to match and looked set for a big individual score.

But young leg-spinner Max Waller is enjoying a dream start to his Somerset career and he accounted for Spearman in the 14th over, caught at deep mid-wicket by Mark Turner.

It was 114 for four and only two runs came off that over, which saw the Gladiators lose momentum. Soon they were 119 for six as Thomas struck twice in an over to remove Steve Adshead and Chris Taylor.

Jon Lewis, one of few Gloucestershire players to make an impact with the bat on this season's Twenty20 competition, again did his bit, scoring 17 in a vital stand of 43 with Dawson, who hit two fours and a six in his 20-ball innings.

Man of the match Spearman apart, it was the Gladiators bowlers who took the honours on a ground where 190 is considered a par score.