Jack Taylor claimed four wickets as Gloucestershire made it back-to-back Royal London One-Day Cup successes with a 35-run victory over Hampshire at Bristol.
The home side posted a modest 233 all out after losing the toss, Will Tavare top-scoring with 77 on his first one-day appearance of the season.
Benny Howell hit an unbeaten 43 against his former club, while James Tomlinson was the pick of the bowlers with 2-23 from seven overs.
In reply, Hampshire looked well placed at 150 for three in the 34th over before three run-outs and some accurate bowling saw them plunge to 198 all out, with off-spinner Taylor returning 4-38 and Will Gidman 2-47.
The result gave Gloucestershire four points from their opening three 50-over fixtures, leaving Hampshire on two from the same number of games.
Skipper Jimmy Adams had little hesitation in opting to field first on a rare overcast morning and saw his decision pay dividends as Gloucestershire slipped to 51 for three in the 12th over.
Hamish Marshall fell to a slip catch in Matt Coles’ first over, while Tomlinson claimed the key wicket of Michael Klinger by bowling him for 18.
Superb win! Bring on Leicestershire next Tuesday! Tickets are available via the website. pic.twitter.com/4kUvd5JKEO
— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) July 31, 2014
The left-arm seamer then bowled Ian Cockbain between bat and pad for a duck and Tavare walked out with his team in trouble.
Chris Dent helped add 48 in 11 overs before being caught at deep square from a top-edged sweep off Will Smith and it was 103 for five when Gidman chopped a ball from Sean Ervine onto his stumps, having made only three.
Tavare reached a chanceless half-century off 58 balls, but lacked support as Gareth Roderick, returning after a broken finger, was bowled playing back to Danny Briggs for 13.
It was 186 for seven when Tavare was caught behind aiming a big hit off Chris Wood, having faced 78 balls and hit eight fours. Taylor smacked Coles back over his head for six, but was bowled by the next delivery attempting a pull shot.
Howell did his best to bolster the score at the end, but lost both tail-end partners, Craig Miles and David Payne to run outs, the latter in the final over after a stand of 28.
Hampshire were given a sound start to their innings by openers Adams and James Vince, who took the score to 61 in the 11th over before Vince was caught behind off Gidman for 27.
Adams survived a chance to wicketkeeper Roderick off Miles on 31 and had moved to 48 off 68 balls, with seven fours, when falling lbw pushing forward to off-spinner Taylor.
Miles missed an opportunity to run out Ervine, but Adam Wheater, who had moved confidently to 30, casually lofted a delivery from Taylor to Marshall at long-on to make it 120 for three in the 26th over.
Hampshire had a bigger wobble on 150 when Ervine was run out by Tavare’s brilliant pick up and throw from midwicket having been called for single by Smith and Coles was bowled by Howell for a duck.
Dawson was run out by Dent’s throw from cover when sent back by Smith going for a single and suddenly the visitors needed 63 from their last 10 overs.
Wood was lbw trying to sweep Taylor and Gidman bowled Briggs before Taylor finished things off by bowling Smith, who had faced 56 balls and hit three fours and a six.
Hampshire skipper Jimmy Adams said: “We mucked things up after doing everything right for two-thirds of the game. Credit Gloucestershire for their bowling and fielding, but in truth they didn’t have to play that well.
“Three run-outs says everything about our innings. We had enough experienced players in the side to see it through after getting into a winning position, so we are very disappointed.”
Gloucestershire director of cricket John Bracewell said: “The game was won with some good old-fashioned cricket, accurate bowling and sharp fielding. We thought it was a 270 pitch and that our total was light.”
View the Original article