Cockbain trumps Lancefield's best

Half-centuries from Benny Howell, Michael Klinger and Ian Cockbain guided Gloucestershire to a 29-run victory against Unicorns in a Yorkshire Bank 40 Group C game in Bristol.

Gloucestershire skipper Klinger held the top order together with 61 before Howell, with an unbeaten 75, and Cockbain, with 53, were chiefly responsible for the late assault which brought 112 runs from the final 10 overs in a total of 260 for 7.

Former Surrey youngster Tom Lancefield, who has played for Gloucestershire's second XI this season, led a spirited run chase by Unicorns with 76 from 93 balls.

But the visitors eventually finished on 231 for 5 as Gloucestershire secured a third win to maintain their strong challenge in Group C.

Gloucestershire were made to work much harder for victory than they were in a nine-wicket success against Unicorns at Wormsley earlier in the month.

After Klinger won the toss, Gloucestershire were reduced to 75 for three in the 16th over after Hamish Marshall was caught behind off Glenn Querl, Chris Dent was run out by Aneurin Norman's throw from backward point and Alex Gidman edged to wicketkeeper Tom New off Norman.

A stand of 73 in 14 overs between Klinger and Howell revived the innings, but the Gloucestershire captain was then run out by Luke Beaven's direct hit from backward square leg.

Unicorns must have been pleased with their bowling and fielding display up to that point, but Cockbain's arrival in the middle changed the tempo dramatically.

He took two fours and a straight six off the 35th over, bowled by Querl, and brought up his 29-ball half-century with the second of two successive sixes over long-on from Warren Lee's bowling in the 37th over. However, Lee gained revenge from the next delivery when Cockbain skied a pull into the gloves of wicketkeeper New.

The late boundary barrage continued unabated as Howell and James Fuller thrashed 42 from 18 balls before the latter was bowled swinging across the line at Beavon's left-arm spin.

Gareth Roderick was run out off the last ball of the innings, which left Howell undefeated on 75 from 69 balls, having struck four fours and three sixes.

The Unicorns' run chase was given a great start by Lancefield and New, who put on 118 in 22 overs in largely untroubled fashion. Former Leicestershire player New had contributed 35 when he clipped Howell to midwicket, where Alex Gidman dived forward to take the catch.

Gloucestershire seized control after that, thanks to tight bowling from Howell and Gidman and some sharp fielding.

Michael O'Shea was caught at deep mid-on by Fuller off Gidman, then Lancefield's fine innings came to an end when he was run out by Chris Dent's throw from cover. The former Surrey youngster had hit six fours and two sixes in his 93-ball innings.

Garry Park and Scott Elstone put on 43 for the fourth wicket before the latter was bowled by Fuller for 17. And, despite some defiant blows from Park, who made 47 before being caught on the midwicket boundary off Fuller in the last over, Gloucestershire ran out comfortable winners.