GLOUCESTERSHIRE produced another memorable performance on the road to trump Lancashire by three wickets and become National Over 60 2nd XI champions.
Steve Pennington’s side booked their place in the final courtesy of hard-earned away knock out victories over Hertfordshire, Wales and Yorkshire.
And they maintained a fantastic run of form at Oakamoor, in Staffordshire, to return home with the silverware.
Lancashire, who lost the toss, were restricted to a total of 188-9 from their 45 overs, Pennington finishing with 3-50 from nine.
Mark Moodie captured 2-29 from six while there were also tight spells from Tim Smith (1-26 from nine), Tim Cull (1-28 from nine), Paul Silvester (1-24 from five) and Dave Tudor (0-29 from seven) as Gloucestershire kept a firm grip on proceedings.
The batters then got to work, led by Andy Taylor (55), opener Richard Graham (32) and Smith (22) while Silvester (19) and Moodie (17) also did their bit to chip away at the target.
There was still some work to do when Silvester was dismissed to make the score 174-7 in the 42nd over.
But Simon Mezsaros, who was forced to retire hurt in only the second over, returned to the crease and made his intentions clear by cracking his first two deliveries for boundaries.
And the opener shortly after won the match with his third four to finish unbeaten on 18 and spark great scenes of celebrations as the spoils were secured with eight balls to spare.
Gloucestershire Over 60s 3rds, meanwhile, now hope to repeat that success when they face Essex tomorrow (Tuesday) in the Vase final, at Valley End CC, near Chobham in Surrey.