Second XI qualify for ECB Trophy semi-final with 100% record

James Hamblin cracked a superb century to help Hampshire II's to their eighth straight one-day victory in the ECB Second Eleven Trophy, taking them through to the semi-final stage with a 100% record.

Hamblin, recently dropped from the Sunday League first team, firmly pushed his case for an instant recall, as he backed up Monday's 81 against Somerset, with a fine 114.

He drove and cut strongly, and shared in a 94 run opening stand with Jimmy Adams (32), and then a 145 run partnership with Will Kendall, as Hampshire posted 297/4 on the excellent Bristol wicket.

Kendall, also searching for form, looked to have found some and he batted faultlessly for his 93, before getting out in the final stages trying to launch the ball out of the ground.

He was savage on the short ball, and his speed between the wickets really put pressure on the home team, who were a little lacklustre in the field. Gloucestershire took the fight to their opposition though, and were in with a shout of a brilliant victory, as Tim Hancock hit 112, but they ended just twelve runs short, on 286/8.

Hancock and James Pearson (62) shared a 120 run stand for the second wicket, but some good bowling kept the required rate climbing, and Lawrence Prittipaul picked up Pearson's wicket at a vital stage.

Chris Tremlett showed his class again, grabbing 2/35, and bowling very well at the death to pile the pressure on, with good support from James Bruce (1/53) and the pacey James Tomlinson, whose 2/45 included the prize wicket of former England all-rounder Mark Alleyne.

Hampshire have been runners up in this competition three times in the last four years, and will no doubt be looking to go one step further this year.