GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S new seniors women’s team completed a last over four wicket victory away to Wales to end a memorable first season with an unbeaten record.
Set a target of 168 at Monmouth, the visitors paced their reply to perfection with captain Maria Fowler leading from the front, finishing unbeaten on 88 from 98 (15 fours).
Earlier, Kelly Armfield claimed 2-27 from six while there were also two wickets for Sally Spencer and a superb spell from Lucy Wilkes whose six overs cost only 12 runs.
This result came on the back of an eight wicket success away to Wiltshire.
Clare Caudle-Stephens finished with memorable figures of 5-18 from six as the home side were reduced to 138-9 from their 40 overs, Armfield and Wilkes also taking two wickets apiece.
And Fowler then struck an unbeaten 64 at the top of the order as Gloucestershire wrapped up the win with more than seven overs to spare.
In total, the fledgling team played five matches this summer, winning four with one abandoned because of rain.
And it is now hoped that neighbouring counties will join discussions over the winter to establish a formal league and, with it, an extended fixture list for next year.
Skipper Ian Robson, meanwhile, inspired Gloucestershire Over 60s to turn the tables on favourites Yorkshire for a memorable 13-run away win that sealed a place in the last four of the Seniors County Championship.
The day began well for Robson who won the toss at Sessay, near Harrogate, and set the tone with a decisive 97 from 118 (eight fours) at the top of the order.
Simon Mezsaros (32), James Cotterill (24), Matt Cannon (22), Razi Ahmed (21) and opener Rob Austen (20) also made crucial contributions as the visitors reached 250-9 from their 45 overs.
Yorkshire, who qualified for the knock out stages as the top seeds, appeared to have the upper hand at 152 without loss in the 30th over.
But Ken Earl (2-61) made the vital breakthrough for the visitors who then turned the screw with Ahmed dismissing fellow England internationals Nick Gaywood and Graham Shaw en route to excellent figures of 2-30 from nine.
Yorkshire were never able to regain the initiative and finished the day at 237-6 as Gloucestershire booked a last four play-off against Cornwall which takes place today (Tuesday).
It was also a terrific day for the 60s 2nds and 3rds who both progressed in their respective competitions.
The 60s 2nds were 99-run victors away to Wales, recovering from 25-3 to total 282 thanks to Richard Graham and Andy Taylor who both hit 83 in a partnership of 164 ahead of skipper Steve Pennington producing a superb burst of 6-23 from 5.2 overs.
That spell saw Wales fold from 145-3 to 183 all out as the visitors clinched an away semi-final verses Yorkshire.
The 60s 3rds dispatched neighbours Somerset by 129 runs, David Griffiths top scoring on 104 and Andy Malpas capturing 3-34 from nine, as a home semi-final against Staffordshire was secured.
Both of those last-four clashes are also due to take place today.
The 60s 4ths, though, were unable to complete a full house of wins despite Jon Peck leading the way with 112 from 118 (16 fours) in a total of 236-7 away to Surrey who went on to bank the league points by four wickets with eight balls to spare.
There was disappointment for the 70s who lost their championship quarter-final away to Oxfordshire by eight wickets after being restricted to 177-8 from their 45.
And the Over 50s 4ths went down by seven wickets in their plate semi-final against Somerset who made light work of chasing a target of 244, opener Chris McCormack’s superb 101 from 94 (13 fours, two sixes) proving to be in vain.
THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES
TUESDAY AUGUST 26
Gloucestershire Over 60s v Cornwall, at Corse & Staunton
Gloucestershire Over 60s 2nds v Yorkshire, away
Gloucestershire Over 60s 3rds v Staffordshire, at Westbury-on-Severn
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 27
Gloucestershire Over 70s 2nds v Somerset, at Chalford