GARETH Price hammered his second century of the summer for Gloucestershire Over 50s 3rds who booked a home knock out quarter final with a comfortable 87-run victory over Worcestershire at Chalford.
The home side made the most of losing the toss in their final West Midlands group outing to pile up 284-2 from their 45, opener Price finishing unbeaten on a terrific 132 from 131 (12 fours, four sixes) as he shared a second wicket stand of 173 with Chris McCormack (86) while David Lane weighed in with an unbeaten 57.
Worcestershire, in reply, were always behind the run rate despite the efforts of Nick Jones (106 not) as Lane (2-26 from nine), Khalid Boota (2-37 from nine) and Pat Legge (2-35 from five) put the squeeze on, Pars Ghadiali also weighing in with 2-47 from nine.
Gloucestershire, who won six and lost one of their eight group games with one match succumbing to the weather, are now preparing for a last eight clash on August 6, at a venue to be announced.
The 50s 1st XI went down by 114 runs against Worcestershire at Lansdown despite Keith Knight’s spell of 3-31 from nine.
But Gloucestershire Over 50s 2nds continued their unbeaten run by holding off Somerset by 29 runs at North Perrott.
Mike Donaldson gave the visitors a turbo-charged start with 90 while fellow opener Mark Febery grafted his way to 59 in a challenge of 267 after losing the toss.
And Mike Gray’s fine figures of 5-43 from 7.4 then snuffed out Somerset’s spirited reply as the home side faded from 191-5 to 238 all out.
The 60s first XI lost by five wickets at home to Wales at Corse & Staunton and now find themselves second in their group with two games to go.
The 60s 2nds came up 20 runs short at Bredon against Worcestershire while the 3rds lost by seven wickets away to Warwickshire despite Kim Parsley’s unbeaten 59.
But there was better news for the 60s 4ths who trumped Somerset by three wickets at Birdlip.
Middle order runs, meanwhile, from Bill Lawrence (64 retired), Mike Pearson (64) and captain Roger Beese (59) paved the way for Gloucestershire Over 70s to pile up 258-4 away to Devon in Sampford Peverill ahead of closing out a 101-run triumph.
THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES
TUESDAY JULY 15
Gloucestershire Over 60s 2nds away v Cornwall
Gloucestershire Over 60s 3rds away v Somerset
WEDNESDAY JULY 16
Gloucestershire Over 50s 2nds v Dorset, home at Whitchurch
Gloucestershire Over 50s 4ths away v Cornwall
THURSDAY JULY 17
Gloucestershire Over 70s away v Wales
