Northants secured a record-equalling third T20 Blast success with a thrilling victory over Hampshire on Finals Day at Edgbaston.
On one of the most exciting days of the county cricket calendar, the Steelbacks continued the form that has seen them top their T20 Blast group with nine wins from 12 matches, before comfortably beating Gloucestershire in Wednesday's quarter-final.
Darren Lehmann's side didn't get off to the best of starts as they were dismissed for a relatively modest 143 in the first semi-final against defending champions Somerset.
But the 2013 and 2016 winners showed their title credentials with an excellent bowling and fielding display, led by inspired captain David Willey who took 3-17 and played a massive part in one of the greatest relay catches in the competition's history as Northants won a thriller by 17 runs.
Hampshire booked their place in Saturday night's showpiece final with a relatively comfortable 27 run success against Nottinghamshire.
This set up a repeat of last year's first semi-final where Hampshire won by six wickets via the DLS method.
A magnificent 88 from 59 balls from opener Ricardo Vasconcelos set up a good platform as Northants batted first, so they will have been disappointed to post just 169 - thanks largely to an incredible five-wicket haul from Sonny Baker.
For the second time in two matches, Willey incredibly took a wicket with the first ball of the reply to give Northants a perfect start.
It was then the turn of James Sales to lead the bowling effort for Northants, as he took three wickets - including the dismissal of key man James Vince - to ensure the Hawks stayed below the required run rate.
A superb partnership from Hampshire duo Joe Weatherley and Liam Dawson set up a nerve-shredding ending, but Luke Procter took two wickets in the penultimate over to give Northants the initiative.
Northants legend Ben Sanderson then took two wickets in two balls at the start of the final over to secure another fantastic victory at Edgbaston.
With this victory, Northants have joined Leicestershire, Hampshire and Somerset with a record three T20 Blast titles.
