GLOUCESTERSHIRE head coach Richard Dawson praised his side for putting Worcestershire under the cosh on a final day of a rain-ruining Specsavers County Championship match at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday.

Gloucestershire made 383 all out in their first innings, while Worcestershire replied with 300-9 declared.

With rain falling on day three, Gloucestershire added another 286-4 to their total. They had Worcestershire on 5-3 at one stage but the opposition dug in and finished the final day on 155-5.

Dawson said: "It wasn't a dead game at the start of the day and I felt we did a really good job of putting Worcestershire under pressure.

"There was an outside chance of victory bowling a possible 52 overs at them and David Payne and Liam Norwell gave us a great start. Joe Clarke then batted really well and managed the situation, but I couldn't have asked any more from our boys.

"We talked before the start about the importance of the first hour and I thought Chris Dent did brilliantly against some very good bowling. He rode out a tough period and went on to a very good century.

"If Worcestershire had got us three or four down early on, they could have pushed for victory on a fast scoring ground. Chris and Gareth Roderick made sure that wasn't the case."