GLOUCESTERSHIRE O50s went out of the County Championship knock out stages after a nail-biting quarter-final setback away to Wales that went down to the wire.
The visitors, who won the toss at Llanelli, had to battle all the way to total 145 all out, Ryan Jamieson top scoring on 25.
And it very nearly proved to be enough as Wales drew level in the final over and then blocked the final two deliveries to go through to the last four having lost less wickets (eight).
It was a heartbreaking way for Gloucestershire to lose after working so hard in the field to defend such a low total.
Richard Trotman finished with terrific figures of 3-11 from nine while there were also two wickets apiece for Craig Whiting and captain Razi Ahmed.
Gloucestershire O60 2nds, meanwhile, dispatched their Middlesex counterparts by 51 runs at Stowell Park to book their place in the Bowl semi-finals.
Opener Steve Witcomb (60) and David Yates (46) led the home side to a total of 193-9 after losing the toss.
And it ended up being plenty as Middlesex were pegged back to 142-9, Andy Kear finishing with memorable figures of 3-11 while there were also two wickets apiece for Paul Silvester and Mike Pearson.
Next up is a trip in the last four to Devon, at Torquay, on Tuesday August 22.
Gloucestershire O50s 2nds were knocked out of their championship semi-finals following a 115-run reverse away to Essex.
The home side piled up 317 all out thanks mainly to Rifan Fiaz’s 154 as Alastair Smith claimed 3-63 while there were two wickets apiece for Dave Millard and Paul Fredericks.
In reply, Mike Gray was unbeaten on 54 and Steve Jones contributed 40 as the visitors’ fine run came to an end.
Gloucestershire O70s’ semi-final will be against Kent at Redmarley on Thursday August 24 (12.30pm).
Set to line up for the home side is John Evans, fresh from another memorable day captaining England O70s who tied the last match of their Silver Ashes series against the Aussies.
‘Evo’, as he is universally known, top scored on 87 to accompany innings of 114* and 57 in the opening two clashes which both went England’s way for a 2-0 series victory.
CHIPPING Sodbury will host a meeting between Gloucestershire and Canterbury, the New Zealand Over 50 club champions, on September 6 (noon).
The home side is set to include a trio of Gloucestershire players who have represented England Seniors this summer in the form of Richard Trotman (50s), Ed Gordon Lennox (60s) and John Evans (70s).