RICHARD Trotman produced an extraordinary unbeaten 99 to clinch a six-wicket victory over Somerset for Gloucestershire O50s who are now through to the last eight of the ECB Championship knock out stages.
Rain reduced this last 16 tie at Minehead to 25 overs per side, Somerset rattling up 144-5 after winning the toss, opener Kevin Parsons top scoring on 52.
England O50 international Trotman then totally dominated Gloucestershire’s reply, facing 84 balls and striking seven fours and five sixes – the last of which sealed the spoils with four deliveries to spare.
There was also a crucial 32 from Mike Courtiour for Gloucestershire who will now be away on August 13 to Wales or Leicestershire, who meet on Sunday.
Gloucestershire O60s, meanwhile, suffered a first South West group reverse with a 25-run defeat away to Worcestershire at Birlingham.
The home side battled their way to 163-8 after winning the toss, Tim Cull (3-25) and John Courtney (3-37) the pick of the attack.
And although opener Rob Austen top scored on 59 in Gloucestershire’s reply, the visitors were pegged back to a disappointing 138-7.
The O60s 2nd team slipped to a five-wicket home defeat against Oxfordshire at Painswick despite 53 from Andy Bolton, and the O60s 3rd string went down by six wickets away to Oxfordshire.
Gloucestershire O50s 3rd XI fared no better, succumbing by nine wickets away to their Essex counterparts after being bowled out for 138.
JOHN Evans, of Frocester, will captain England O70s in their opening Silver Ashes clash against Australia at Colchester and East Essex CC on Sunday.
The Gloucestershire opener, who has been in superb form all summer, is joined in the squad by wicketkeeper Nigel Belletty, of Stoke Bishop.
The three-match series continues on August 13 at Wellington before concluding at Maidenhead & Bray CC on August 20.
Ed Gordon Lennox, of Tarbarrow and Gloucestershire, was a key member of the England O60 squad which last month defeated the Aussies 3-2 to seal the Grey Ashes.