Leicestershire v Gloucestershire

Leicestershire turned in an excellent all-round performance, to trounce Gloucestershire at Grace Road.

They will have been grateful to Darren Maddy and Vince Wells, who both managed half centuries to give Leicestershire a total of 218 in their 45 overs.

Maddy blasted 87 from just 76 balls, whilst Wells was somewhat fortunate 59. After a dreadful start - some excellent bowling from Mike Smith and a couple of wickets from Ian Harvey saw the Foxes in trouble - Wells began to find his feet. He blasted James Averis out of the ground, and was particularly strong through the off side. Wells was however, dropped twice, once by Windows, then by Cawdron.

If Wells was a touch fortunate, Maddy was the image of professionalism. He scored at around a run a ball from the off, first with quick singles. The England discard picked the gaps in the field brilliantly, rarely missing an opportunity to score. Maddy also hit two massive sixes and four fours. He was given good support from Phil DeFreitas, who made 30 from 34 balls, only to limp off with a groin strain when the Foxes fielded.

A target of 219 was always going to be tough. The Gladiators lost Cunliffe and Windows early on, both to the pace of James Ormond. Despite a partnership of 66 between Kim Barnett (45) and Jack Russell, (49) Leicestershire were always well on top.

The Gladiators could not handle some brilliant stuff from Kumble. The Indian leg-spinner picked up 3-28 in his nine overs. Kim Barnett aimed a wild slog, whilst Cawdron and Averis had no answer to Kumble's variation. On the day, the Foxes were just too good, and deserved their 38 run win. The victory could have been larger if it weren't for an entertaining partnership of 38 in 14 minutes between Jon Lewis and Jeremy Snape. It was, however, too little, too late.