JOHN Evans cracked a century and Mike Pearson completed a five-wicket haul as Gloucestershire romped past Wiltshire by 114 runs to book a place in the last eight of the National Over 70s Championship.
Opener Evans was eventually bowled for 115 from 102 (17 fours) as his side piled up 308-5 after winning the toss at Shrewton, Bill Lawrence weighing in with 44 and captain Roger Beese adding 38.
In reply, the home side were travelling well at 147-2 but Pearson, who went on to bag 5-42 from eight, made the breakthrough and the innings fizzled out to 194.
There were also two wickets for Tony Garton while John Turton’s nine overs went for only 21 as Gloucestershire clinched a last eight date away to Oxfordshire on August 21.
Gloucestershire Over 50s 2nds, meanwhile, lost their quarter-final at home to Wales at Shirehampton by 25 runs.
Ben Trotman, who went into the game on the back of five successive unbeaten centuries and averaging 714, top scored on 77 as his side came up short despite 50 from Steve Davies in the chase to overhaul Wales’ 268-8.
There was disappointment too for the 50s 3rds who went down in their home quarter-final at Bradley Stoke against Surrey by three wickets.
Opener Gareth Price held the home side’s challenge together with a gritty 84, captain Andy Burrows also unbeaten on 44 in a total of 219-8.
Surrey had to work hard to get over the line, Pars Ghadiali claiming 3-23 from nine while there were also two wickets for Dave Lane, but the visitors sealed the win with 14 balls to spare.
Gloucestershire Over 60s 4ths, meanwhile, trumped Buckinghamshire by 37 runs at Birdlip.
Opener Steve Dummer (80) top scored in a home challenge of 226-5 ahead of Nigel Allen (3-29) striking while there were also two wickets apiece for Andy Moore and Alistair Kilfoil.
Nic Hayward grabbed 4-59 for Gloucestershire Over 60s who held off a Western Australia touring side by 15 runs at Corse & Staunton.
Half centuries from opener James Cotterill, skipper Ian Robson and Rob Austen saw the home side to a total of 293-8, and it was only just enough as visiting captain captain Gary Green finished unbeaten on 143.
ED Gordon Lennox crunched his first century for England Over 60s, reaching 111 off 68 (12 fours, four sixes) to pave the way for a 249-run home over the USA at Winchmore Hill.
THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES
TUESDAY AUGUST 12
Gloucestershire Over 60s v Suffolk, away
Gloucestershire Over 60s 2nds v Hertfordshire, away
Gloucestershire Over 60s 4ths v Essex, at Birdlip
Gloucestershire Over 50s 3rds v Warwickshire and Worcestershire, away
THURSDAY AUGUST 14
Gloucestershire Overs 70s v Worcestershire, away
Main image – Gloucestershire Over 60s 3rd XI, back row, left to right: Ian Martin, Pete Lloyd, Hanif Shaikh, Richard Cox, Sean Walters, Kim Parsley, Chris Ewers, Kath Bovey.
Front: David Griffiths, Martin Hopkins, Andy Bolton, Luv Duggal, Andy Malpas.