Vince Steals Show as Royals Put Gladiators to the Sword

Hampshire beat Gloucestershire by 28 runs in the FPt20 Cup

Hampshire Royals v Gloucestershire Gladiators
Friends Provident t20
Friday 25th June 2010
The Rose Bowl

Summary
Hampshire beat Gloucestershire by 28 runs
Hampshire Royals: 205-5
Gloucestershire Gladiators: 177 (19.5 overs)

James Vince scored his first t20 half-century and Simon Jones took his first Rose Bowl wicket for the Royals as Hampshire comfortably beat Gloucestershire by 28 runs.

Vince was the star of Hampshire’s innings scoring 77 to help the home side to 205; their highest total of the season in t20.

Although Franklin hit 46 and Dent, 63, Gloucestershire always looked short of the run-rate and Hampshire ran through the tail with Wood and Briggs picking up three wickets apiece.  

Hampshire won the toss and elected to bat first, the home side looking to take control against bottom-of-the-table Gloucestershire.

Despite a couple of early wickets, some sloppy fielding from the Gladiators allowed Hampshire to really press on and after two mis-fields which led to fours and two drops, the visitors missed their opportunity to apply the pressure.

Vince and Neil McKenzie punished them, passing the hundred partnership. The youngster then brought up his fifty in glorious style, hitting a six down the ground. That was followed with a lovely pulled four. Vince had hit the land-mark off just 30 balls with seven fours and two sixes.

McKenzie then reached his fifty in just as much style, smashing the ball over the mid-on rope for six. Sadly, the South African was out next ball ending a 122 run partnership.

Vince’s fabulous innings came to an end though on 77 when he edged to fine leg, a missed opportunity on becoming the youngest t20 centurion.

Cork and Ervine then added a quick 30, Hampshire finishing on 205 for 5.

Michael Lumb dives to try to avoid a run-out at the hands of Batty

Franklin looked impressive in the Gladiators' innings, hitting two successive sixes in the tenth over, the second finding its way out of the ground.

Hampshire found the partnership breaker when Franklin launched one to deep square leg, 4 short of his half century.

Then came the moment the Rose Bowl crowd have been waiting for for a long, long time. Jones' wicket came when he bowled Snell. The relief around the ground was tangible.

A run out and two wickets from Briggs ended any Gloucestershire hopes of taking any points; the spinner nearly claiming a hat-trick!

Needing 34 from the last over Vince took a stunning diving catch, then Ireland was run out to leave Gloucestershire all out on 177.

Hampshire look to get a so-far-illusive second consecutive win against Essex Eagles on Sunday. It's a match that has been moved forward to an 11.00am start to avoid clashing with the World Cup football.

Words: Glenn Noble

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