Roderick ton defies Essex

Gareth Roderick gave another demonstration of his batting talent with a second first-class century as Gloucestershire comfortably batted out for a draw on the final day against Essex at Bristol.

The young South African wicketkeeper top scored with 136 as the home side, set 432 for victory, closed on 355 for 6. Skipper Michael Klinger hit 62 and shared a second wicket stand of 137 with Roderick, who also hit a ton in the previous game against Kent.

Monty Panesar ended any hope the hosts had of reaching their mammoth target by removing Klinger and Alex Gidman, and finished with 2 for 56 from 25 overs, while Reece Topley claimed 3 for 70. But the result did little for the fading promotion hopes of either club as Essex took 11 points and Gloucestershire eight.

The home side began the day on 19 without loss, needing an unlikely 413 more runs for victory. Chris Dent soon signalled their positive intentions as a top-edged pull sailed for six in the opening over from Topley.

Klinger survived an lbw appeal from Topley early on, but was soon flourishing and, on 21, reached 1,000 first class runs in his first full season of county cricket. By then Dent had departed for 27, with the total on 43, leg before to Topley off the final delivery of an excellent over from the left-arm seamer.

After Essex had turned to spin in the shape of Panesar at one end and Greg Smith at the other Klinger launched the second six of the innings, straight back over Smith's head.

Roderick helped his captain take the score to 115 for one at lunch, with all three results still possible and both sides needing a win to keep alive genuine promotion hopes. Roderick was the first to reach his 50 off 76 balls, with seven fours. Klinger followed after facing 147 deliveries, with three fours and a six.

The pair had taken the total to 180 in the 58th over when Panasar parted them by bowling Klinger, who had defied the Essex attack for three hours and 20 minutes. Alex Gidman quickly went on the attack, but had made only 9 when stumped by James Foster off Panesar with the total on 196.

It was 212 for 3 at tea, with Gloucestershire having abandoned the bid for a win. The second new ball was Essex's last hope, but by the time it was taken Gloucestershire were 294 for 3 with Hamish Marshall established as Roderick's partner.

Three late wickets did fall, but Roderick, who was dropped off a no-ball on 79 and then received a blow to the head by a delivery from Tymal Mills, reached a gutsy hundred off 157 balls, with 14 fours.