GLOUCESTERSHIRE wrapped up a dramatic win over Northamptonshire today - their first County Championship triumph in 19 months.
Northants looked as though they might snatch an unlikely victory with 50 required and three wickets in hand but Jon Lewis and Steve Kirby ended their resistance as they ended up falling 44 runs short.
Gloucestershire’s second innings total of 237 with Hamish Marshall (69) and Chris Taylor (55) set the home side a difficult target of 371.
They resumed the day with a lot of work to do on 200-5 but Gloucestershire’s bowling options were limited without the injured Ian Saxelby, while James Franklin only managed two overs.
South African international Andrew Hall hit 91 before he was trapped lbw by Alex Gidman and Steven Crook’s 55 gave Northants a real chance. But he was bowled by Lewis just after Steve Kirby removed David Lucas, and then Kirby had David Wigley caught by Will Porterfield to seal Gloucestershire’s first win since they beat Leicestershire in September 2007.
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