SOMERSET head coach Jason Kerr described his side's performance as "inexcusable" away to Hampshire Hawks on Friday night, after a crushing 75-run defeat at the Ageas Bowl.

The win was only Hampshire's third in the Vitality Blast this season, but results elsewhere mean that Somerset only need one win from their remaining two games - away to Glamorgan (July 16) and at home to Gloucestershire (July 18) - to reach the quarter-finals.

But they will need to improve significantly on Friday's woeful showing, dismissed for 100 as young quick Scott Currie finished with 4-24.

Somerset were without Tom Abell, Tom Banton, Lewis Gregory and Craig Overton due to injury and international duty, but they began well and had Hampshire 22-3 inside the powerplay.

The hosts recovered well, though, as Colin de Grandhomme (28) and Lewis McManus (60*) rebuilt in a 52-run stand.

Joe Weatherley (50) also scored well as Hampshire reached a competitive total of 175-6, with 23 coming off the last two overs - the home side taking full advantage of a sloppy fielding performance from the visitors, who dropped three catches and bowled poorly after their strong start.

Jack Brooks and Marchant de Lange each ended with figures of 2-33 off four overs.

Somerset's reply got off to a disastrous start when in-form New Zealand opener Devon Conway fell second ball, caught behind off Chris Wood.

Exciting young batsman Smeed looked in good touch with 15 runs off nine balls, but his attempt to hit a big six off Brad Wheal only found the hands of Mason Crane at cover.

Somerset then lost their last eight wickets for 76 runs, with Currie dismissing James Hildreth and Lewis Goldsworthy before the spin of Crane and D'Arcy Short reduced the visitors to 70-6.

Currie and Wheal then wrapped up the tail with Roelof van der Merwe (25) the only batsman to show any real resistance - the Hawks wrapping up victory with 24 balls to spare.

Kerr said afterwards: "It's really disappointing, especially with the powerplay we had, in which we were outstanding.

"They were 33-3 after six and we let them get away.

"It was an outstanding partnership between Weatherley and McManus and they probably 15 or 20 more than they should have done.

"The second half was incredibly poor from us, it was inexcusable.

"I am not using the missing players as an excuse, we had some young players playing; they are craving a chance and are incredibly talented, but tonight wasn't their night."

Somerset return to LV= Insurance County Championship action tomorrow, looking to secure their place in Division 1 in the match away to Surrey.