LIAM Norwell had a match to remember even if Gloucestershire’s clash against Derbyshire at Bristol ended in a tame draw on Wednesday.

Norwell took four wickets in Derbyshire’s first innings as did colleague Jack Taylor despite the opposition batting long into the four days to reach 444 before they were bowled out.

That was good but what was to follow was simply the stuff of dreams. Norwell came in late on Monday evening to join opener Chris Dent, from Thornbury, when Cameron Bancroft was bowled for 41.

The seam bowler was in as nightwatchman and expected to be out pretty rapidly on Tuesday to allow Ian Cockbain to enter the fray.

But he and Dent began a festival of runs in a stand of 168 for the second wicket. Norwell eventually succumbed for 102, his maiden first class century and eclipsing his previous best score of 78 two years ago.

The 24-year-old seam bowler smashed 14 fours and three sixes in an innings which was only 126 balls and two-and-a-half hours long.

Dent went on to make 180 in a six-hour marathon before he was bowled by part-timer Chesney Hughes, who also captured Norwell as Gloucestershire finished their first innings on 563 all out.

If that was not enough, Norwell grabbed a wicket on Wednesday when he ran out Derbyshire opener Ben Slater for six.

His batting prowess, however, was the story of the match, and he said: “I had never made a hundred in any form of cricket. I think my previous best was 98 in an under-13 game for Redruth.

"Chris Dent talked me through it and it was great having him at the other end. I thought my chance had gone when I missed a high full-toss on 94.

"I was surprised Derbyshire bowled so short to me. I am very proud.”

The match ground its way to the inevitable draw as Derbyshire reached 260 just before 5pm yesterday, with Hughes making 137 not out. Gloucestershire next play Worcestershire in Bristol starting on Sunday.