GLOUCESTERSHIRE gained derby bragging rights over their local rivals with an seven-wicket NatWest T20 Blast victory over Somerset in front of an eight thousand sell-out crowd at Bristol.

Somerset could muster only 146 all out after arriving at the ground late due to traffic congestion. Johann Myburgh (42) and Craig Overton (33 not out) were the main contributors, while David Payne (three for 29) and Benny Howell (two for 15) were the pick of the Gloucestershire attack.

In reply, the home side never looked in trouble as Ian Cockbain (47 not out), Michael Klinger (35), and man-of-the-match Kieran Noema-Barnett (33 off 12 balls) took them to their target with ten balls to spare.

The match began 45 minutes late after Somerset’s team coach had only just arrived at the scheduled start time of 6.30pm.

The visitors then lost the toss and their innings was something of a roller-coaster, openers Steve Davies and Lewis Gregory departing with only 13 balls bowled and 12 runs on the board. Payne was the successful bowler in both cases.

Myburgh then looked to transform the match with a brilliant 18-ball cameo that featured 5 fours and 2 sixes. The South African took 24 off an over from left-arm spinner Tom Smith Skipper Jim Allenby (21) offered solid support and at the end of the six-over power-play his team were well placed on 66 for two.

From there some kamikaze cricket saw Somerset plunge to 90 for seven, James Hildreth perishing to a reverse sweep off only his second ball and Tom Abell running himself out attempting a suicidal single.

Gloucestershire skipper Michael Klinger kept faith with Smith and was rewarded when the bowler conceded only 12 off his final three overs.

Howell produced his customary changes of pace to flummox the batsman and did not concede a single boundary in his four overs.

Overton gave Somerset some hope with some big hits at the end, but the total still looked well below par on a decent batting strip.

So it proved as Klinger and Phil Mustard gave Gloucestershire a fast start, Klinger hitting Lewis Gregory over mid-wicket for six and Mustard clearing the ropes off Tim Groenewald.

Klinger was struck a painful blow in the ribs by a quick delivery from Paul van Meekeren, in the sixth over, but continued after treatment. The opening stand was worth 48 when Mustard (29) drove a catch to long-on off Roelof van der Merwe.

Ian Cockbain lofted Max Waller over long-on for six as Gloucestershire eased towards the required run rate and repeated the treatment off Overton. He and Klinger brought the 100 up in the 14th over and by then the outcome was all but settled.

A turning delivery from van der Merwe (three for 34) bowled Klinger for 35, but with only 45 needed off six overs, the hosts were well in control.

Noema-Barnett eased any suggestion of late nerves with successive straight sixes of the previously impressive van Meekeren and followed up with two more maximums off van der Merwe to the delight of home fans before holing out with the job virtually done.

Jack Taylor finished the match with a six to complete a miserable night for Somerset, who were well beaten.