GLOUCESTERSHIRE head coach Richard Dawson was full of praise for his side after they recorded a great nine wicket victory over Essex at Chelmsford in the County Championship Division Two.

Liam Norwell was the star of the show as he returned career-best figures of 6- 33 to post a match haul of 10-65.

Norwell had terrorised Essex in the first innings as the home side were bundled out for 159. Gloucestershire replied with 242 all out before Norwell was at it again.

The 23-year-old fast bowler once again found lift to undermine the home innings as they were bowled out for199 after resuming on 91- 4.

But it was a delivery that kept low that sent Essex on the slippery slope in the morning session when he bowled James Foster without him adding to his overnight 13.

Norwell quickly followed that by finding a way through the defence of Greg Smith leaving Essex relying on Kishen Velani and Graham Napier, the last of their recognised batsmen, to try and launch a recovery. But it never materialised.

It left Gloucestershire with a modest target of 114 to reel in their first Championship triumph of the season – it quickly became obvious that the visitors were in no mood to surrender the initiative Norwell had given them.

Will Tavare and Dent made sure of that with a series of well-struck shots either side of the wicket.

Tavare completed his half-century before he was out. But by then, the visitors had 106 on the board. In the next over, Dent also reached his fifty from 58 balls.

Dawson later said: “I think it was a good cricket wicket. All our bowlers performed exceptionally well over the three days and for a squad of young bowlers, their performance was very encouraging.

“We bowled with discipline and we were consistent in the way we were hitting our lengths. We’ve been asking for improvements from our bowlers and they’ve done it.

“But it was the overall team performance which has given me a lot of satisfaction. Chris Dent batted exceptionally well in both innings and Pete Handscomb’s first innings score and his partnership with David Payne helped give us what was a an important first innings lead.

“We’ve also fielded better than we have done recently so I can’t fault the lads for their performance.”