SOMERSET skipper Tom Abell hailed the "phenomenal innings" from James Vince, which helped Hampshire to a thrilling 14-run win at Taunton.

Hawks captain Vince produced the highest individual score in the club's T20 history, when he hit 129 not out off 62 balls, as the visitors closed on 208 for five.

Somerset looked well-placed to chase down the tally, sitting on 104 at the end of the 10th over.

But a late collapse saw Hampshire's bowlers wrestle back the momentum, restricting the hosts to 194 for nine.

Discussing the contest, Abell said: "First and foremost, hats off to James Vince for a phenomenal innings.

"But we have to look at ourselves and, from looking to have things under control, we couldn't execute our skills at the end of the game.

"James managed to get himself in and stay there to punish us in the closing overs. None of us were able to do that, despite the fact that it was a fantastic pitch."

Reflecting on his record-breaking knock, eclipsing the unbeaten 124 by Michael Lumb in 2009, Vince said: "I'd take batting here every week!

"Incredible wicket, small boundaries, a bit of rain as well. I actually didn't feel that comfortable for the first 14 overs, but this is such an unbelievable place to bat and at the back end of my innings I found my rhythm.

"When you get confident on such a pitch anything seems possible.

"But you also feel that virtually any target is chaseable at Taunton and for a lot of their innings Somerset looked on course.

"Thankfully, we were able to take wickets at the death and exert some pressure. All credit to the bowlers for that."

He added: "We managed to hold our nerve, not drop our heads and get the big win we needed.

"A big win. I feel like every game feels like a must-win at the minute."

Hampshire head to Gloucester tonight.