GLOUCESTERSHIRE face an uphill task to qualify for the Twenty20 cup quarter-finals after a dramatic batting collapse against Glamorgan last night.

Chasing 167 for victory at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff, the Gladiators slumped from 38-0 to 72-9. A last wicket partnership of 55 between Jon Lewis (30*) and Steve Kirby restored some pride but they fell 39 runs short and are rooted to the bottom of the Midlands/Wales/West group with no win from their first two games.

Glamorgan were put into bat under the floodlights and made a great start with an opening partnership of 86 between Jamie Dalrymple (43) and Mark Cosgrove (52).

Ben Wright struck 24 not out to help the hosts reach 166-6 off their 20 overs. Gemaal Hussain took two wickets for 41 runs, while Steve Kirby, Jon Lewis and Chris Taylor claimed one apiece.

Will Porterfield (25 off 14 balls) and Hamish Marshall (13) got Gloucestershire’s reply off to a decent start but a flurry of wickets, with Ryan Watkins claiming 5-16 off four overs, ended the county’s hopes.

Lewis top scored with 30 off 25 balls, while number 11 Kirby chipped in with 25.

The Gladiators meet a Somerset Sabres side who have won their first two games, at Taunton on Friday (5.30pm).