BRISTOL booked their place in the Stuart Canvas Gloucestershire Cup final and a trip to the Seat Unique County Ground after squeezing past local rivals Bedminster by two runs.
New Zealander Curtis Heaphy (75) and opener Nic Halstead Cleak (74) powered Bristol, who lost the toss, to a total of 242-9, Elliot Mason capturing 3-46 while there were also two wickets apiece for Max Tryfonos and Adam Hares.
In reply, Bedminster were in good shape at 170-2 but suffered a double blow when both Dylan Church (42) and Shay Sainsbury (91 off 67, eight fours, six sixes) perished in quick succession.
The visitors, though, stayed in the hunt and came desperately close to victory only for seamer Will Rudge (2-32) and spinner Louie Shaw (2-37) to hold their nerve at the death.
The second semi-final sees Frocester hosting Downend on Sunday with the final due to take place on September 7.
BRISTOL are also preparing for the south regional final of the ECB’s National Club T20 on Sunday August 25.
Basingstoke & North Hants CC will be the venue for straight knock out clashes between Hayes and Preston Nomads with Bristol then meeting Oundle Town, of Peterborough, ahead of the two winners going head to head for a place in the national final.
THE Stuart Canvas Gloucestershire Trophy final between Gloucester AIW and Pak Bristolians will be staged at Thornbury on Sunday August 25.