Spearman stars as Gladiators move top (From Gazette Series)

Spearman stars as Gladiators move top

12:40pm Saturday 10th May 2008

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GLOUCESTERSHIRE moved in pole position to qualify from the South West Division in the Friends Provident Trophy after their six wicket victory against Glamorgan at Cardiff yesterday.

Craig Spearman starred with 66 from 81 balls, as Gloucestershire recovered from 16-3 in reply to Glamorgan's 202-8.

It was the first game at Glamorgan's redeveloped SWALEC stadium, the venue for the first Ashes test next summer, and the Gladiators decided to field after winning the toss.

Ben Wright scored 60 for the hosts as they themselves recovered from 70-4.

In reply, Hamish Marshall, Alex Gidman, and Marcus North fell early before Spearman and Chris Taylor steadied the ship.

After Spearman was given lbw against the bowling of Dean Cosker, Taylor (66*) and all-rounder David Brown led the Gladiators to victory with 5.4 overs to spare.

The county are now in position to qualify from the group at the halfway stage.

They face Somerset at Bristol tomorrow (Sunday).

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