SOMERSET need eight wickets today to seal a place at Lord's, with their Bob Willis Central Group match at Worcestershire still in the balance going into the fourth and final day.

The visitors have already picked up sufficient bonus points to ensure that victory at Blackfinch New Road will send them through to the final of the competition.

That Somerset were able to set a demanding target of 245 on a wicket with plenty on offer to the seamers was in large part thanks to Tom Lammonby, whose superb century earned him a place in the club record books.

Not only is Lammonby just the fourth Somerset batsman to carry his bat through an entire innings in the 21st century (following Tom Abell, Dean Elgar and Marcus Trescothick), he is also the youngest to do so in Somerset's history (surpassing Arthur ‘Dudley’ Rippon's effort in 1914).

The 20-year-old hit 107* out of a second-innings total of 193 all out, combining solid defence (scoring only 23 runs from the first 104 deliveries faced) with increasing aggression as the day went on.

Crucial support came from Lewis Gregory (17) and Josh Davey (21), while Ed Barnard finished with 4-25 for the hosts.

Gregory then picked up the key wickets of Worcestershire openers Daryl Mitchell (3) and Jake Libby (23) - two of the top five run-scorers in the competition - as the home side reached 58-2 before bad light ended play early.

With Tom Fell on 18* and Jack Haynes 12*, Worcestershire need 187 runs on the final day to win the match, while Somerset seek those eight precious wickets.

Centurion Lammonby said after the third day's play: "That innings has got up to be up there with a couple of weeks ago as well [his century against Gloucestershire].

"It is always nice to back that up and get that second one and move on from the first one.

“It is quite pleasing to be the youngest Somerset player to carry his bat.

"I wasn’t thinking about that at all when I was out there.

“It was just about getting every run out there and hopefully tomorrow that will make the difference [in terms of the result].

“I’m sure we will be able to defend what we have set them."

Davey said: "I still think 187 runs is a lot on that wicket.

"It's one of those where you feel not a lot is happening, then a cluster of wickets come.

"[Lammonby's century] is up there with one of the best I've seen from someone of his young age.

"He showed patience, determination and has put us right in the game."