Royal London One Day Cup

Gloucestershire 237 lost to Hampshire 239/3 by seven wickets

TOM Alsop and James Vince’s half centuries kept alive Hampshire’s ambition of Royal London One-Day Cup progression as they beat Gloucestershire by eight wickets.

The pair led a relatively straight forward chase after spinning duo Liam Dawson and Mason Crane each took three-wickets each.

The victory, won with 45 balls to spare, handed Hampshire their second win of the competition and saw Gloucestershire’s quarter-final ambition fade.

Jimmy Adams and Tom Alsop began Hampshire’s reply at a great rate as they attempted to chase down a seemingly below average 237.

Just as the pair looked to be batting the hosts out of sight, Adams ran himself out after a quick-fire 36, with his side on 67.

James Vince was given a let off when he skipped down the wicket but Phil Mustard missed a stumping.

Alsop moved past a 78 ball fifty but departed soon after when he edged behind attempting to cut too close to his body.

Vince, who scored his landmark in 53 deliveries but George Bailey did suffer a piece of luck when we was shelled at mid-on by Chris Liddle but was out for 37 when he pulled high to Matt Taylor at midwicket – leaving 42 runs still to win after an 81-run stand.

Academy graduates Vince, who ended with a splendid unbeaten 89 and Liam Dawson guided Hampshire to a simple two points.

Hampshire had looked in control of the game with the ball from the off – having been stuck in by Gloucestershire in overcast conditions – as Reece Topley opened with three successive maidens.

The clouds quickly broke up to allow sun to pour through and make the second-hand pitch appear in good nick to bat on.

Despite Topley’s miserly start it was new ball partner Kyle Abbott who made the first break through – when Michael Klinger feathered behind while attempting to leave.

Phil Mustard and Chris Dent then added a meandering 55-run stand before the latter loosely reverse swept Dawson to Gareth Berg at short third man.

Ian Cockbain was bowled attempting to slog down the ground, the batsman taking a frustrated swipe at the stumps on his way off, before Graeme van Buurne skied to Sean Ervine at mid-off – both wickets coming off Dawson.

That left the left-arm spinner with 10 over figures of three for 30 – while leg spinner Mason Crane had Dent lbw on the sweep as spin reigned at the Ageas Bowl.

Jack Taylor and Benny Howell put on 70 for the sixth wicket – with the former bettering his previous highest Lisa A score of 53 as Gloucestershire tip-toed towards a par score.

Taylor eventually fell, after moving past 500 List A runs and a 55-ball half century, for 63 when he was leg before to Berg while playing across the line.

The final five wickets fell for 32 runs – with Tom Smith caught behind reverse sweeping and Liam Norwell bowled – both to Crane who ended with three for 53.

Berg and Abbott shared the final two scalps as Chris Liddle and Matt Taylor both saw their stumps knocked back.