Vince guides Hampshire to comfortable win

Half-centuries for Tom Alsop and James Vince kept alive Hampshire's ambition of Royal London Cup progression as they beat Gloucestershire by eight wickets.

The pair led a relatively straightforward chase after spinning duo Liam Dawson and Mason Crane each took three wickets as Gloucestershire were dismissed for 237. The victory, which came with 45 balls to spare, handed Hampshire their second win of the competition and saw Gloucestershire's quarter-final ambition fade.

Jimmy Adams and Alsop began Hampshire's reply with a half-century opening stand. Just as the pair looked to be batting the hosts out of sight, Adams ran himself out after 36 off 27 balls, with his side on 67.

Vince was given a let off when he skipped down the wicket but Phil Mustard missed a stumping. Alsop moved past a 78-ball fifty but departed soon after when he edged behind attempting to cut too close to his body.

Vince's half-century took 53 deliveries and at the other end George Bailey required a piece of luck when we was shelled at mid-on by Chris Liddle. He was next out for 37 when he pulled Matt Taylor high to midwicket, leaving 42 runs still to win after an 81-run stand. But Vince, who ended with a splendid unbeaten 89, and Dawson guided Hampshire home with more than seven overs to spare.

Hampshire had looked in control of the game with the ball from the off - after Gloucestershire chose to bat in overcast conditions - as Reece Topley opened with three successive maidens.

The clouds quickly broke up to allow sun to pour through and make the used pitch appear in good nick to bat on. Despite Topley's miserly start it was new-ball partner Kyle Abbott who made the first breakthrough, when Michael Klinger feathered behind while attempting to leave.

Mustard and Chris Dent then added a meandering 55-run stand before the latter loosely reverse-swept Dawson to Gareth Berg at short third man. Dawson also bowled Ian Cockbain attempting to slog down the ground, the batsman taking a frustrated swipe at the stumps on his way off, before Graeme van Buuren skied to Sean Ervine at mid-off.

That gave the left-arm spinner 10-over figures of 3 for 30. In between, Crane had Mustard lbw on the sweep as spin reigned at the Ageas Bowl.

Jack Taylor and Benny Howell put on 70 for the sixth wicket, with the former bettering his previous highest List A score of 53 as Gloucestershire tip-toed towards a par score. Taylor eventually fell, having made a 55-ball half century, for 63 when he was leg-before to Berg while playing across the line.

The final five wickets fell for 32 runs, Tom Smith caught behind reverse sweeping and Liam Norwell bowled - both to Crane who ended with 3 for 53. Berg and Abbott shared the final two scalps as Liddle and Matt Taylor both saw their stumps knocked back.