Royal London Cup 50-Over Cup

Gloucestershire 242-8

Sussex 191 all out

TOM SMITH played a key role with bat and ball as Gloucestershire kept their hopes of defending the Royal London One-Day Cup alive with a 51-run South Group win over Sussex at Cheltenham.

In a match billed as must-win for both lowly-placed teams, the hosts posted 242-8 after losing the toss, Michael Klinger contributing 46 and Smith 43 not out. Chris Jordan claimed 3-55 and leg-spinner Will Beer 2-38.

In reply the Sharks could manage only 191 all out, despite an excellent unbeaten 87 from 21-year-old Harry Finch, left-arm spinner Smith taking four for 26 from his ten overs.

The result took the holders to four points from five games, while Sussex remain on just two.

Gloucestershire man-of-the-match Smith admitted conditions had worked in his side's favour. "We couldn't believe how much the pitch broke up," he said. "It didn't really spin for the Sussex bowlers, yet I was able to get quite a lot of turn.

"We felt our total was below-par, but we bowled and fielded really well. It was a vital win for us and we now feel we have every chance of qualifying for the knock-out stage.

"It is a special competition for us, having won it last year, and one thing we were never going to do was roll over and go out without a real fight."

Gloucestershire lost wickets too regularly to ever gain much momentum to their innings. Chris Dent had already been dropped when falling early on for 10 and it was 49-2 when Ian Cockbain was caught behind for eight in the ninth over.

Hamish Marshall’s disappointing last Cheltenham Festival ended when he was bowled off inside edge by Jordan for 11 before Beer struck a major blow in the 22nd over.

Klinger had looked in prime form moving to 46 off 66 balls, with six fours, when adjudged lbw pushing forward. It may have been a case of the ball striking pad before bat, but the Gloucestershire captain was clearly unhappy with the decision.

Beer also removed Benny Howell for 19 and when Graeme van Buuren was bowled by Jordan for 38 off another inside edge Gloucestershire were becalmed on 155-6 in the 35th over.

Kieran Noema-Barnett (29) hit the only six of the innings over mid-wicket off Danny Briggis, but it was Smith who did most to bolster the modest total, facing 46 balls and hitting three fours.

Young wicketkeeper Patrick Grieshaber contributed a bright 20 at the death, but Gloucestershire looked to be short of a par score.

Soon, however, the home bowlers were striking back. Ed Joyce mistimed a back-foot shot to be caught at mid-wicket off Matt Taylor and when Craig Miles had Philip Salt caught behind it was 19-2.

Dangerman Luke Wright played a poor shot off Taylor on 18, chipping a catch to mid-on and Gloucestershire were right in the game at 43-3 in the ninth over.

Chris Nash was bowled off a bottom edge by Smith for six, but Finch and Ben Brown than gave Sussex hope with a stand of 70 in 19.4 overs before Brown, on 39, square drove Howell to Cockbain at backward point.

When Smith had Chris Jordan caught behind for 14, Sussex were left needing 84 off the last ten overs with only four wickets in hand.

Smith then took a fine caught and bowled at full tilt after Jofra Archer had skied the ball back over his head and had Ajmal Shahzad well held at deep mid-wicket by Dent.

Beer was run out and when last man Briggs was bowled by Howell, it left Finch, who faced 115 balls and hit eight fours and a six, high and dry after a fine personal effort.