GLOUCESTERSHIRE skipper Alex Gidman is looking for his side to bounce back quickly from their Friends Provident Trophy semi-final exit as they head to the Cheltenham Festival.

Gidman’s century was not enough to lead his side into a first Lord’s final for five years as they were beaten by Sussex on Sunday and their immediate focus turns to retaining top spot in the County Championship.

Despite a 76-run loss against promotion rivals Kent last week, Gloucestershire still currently hold a nine-point lead in Division Two.

They meet Derbyshire to kick off the 12-day Festival at the College Ground on Sunday (11am), and also face Northamptonshire in a Championship match at Cheltenham, and Gidman is keen to see his side strengthen their position at the top.

“We’re in a great position, there’s a huge amount of cricket to be played but we’ll try our best to consolidate our position,” said Gidman.

“There are some tough teams around us starting to find form so we’ve got to try and get as much out of those games as we can.”

Gidman struck his highest ever one-day score of 116 off 117 balls against the Sharks at Hove where they fell 34 runs short after the hosts posted a mammoth 326-7.

“We were trying to read the scoreboard and keep up as much as we could but unfortunately we couldn’t quite get that final partnership at the end to see us home but they bowled well and that’s the way it goes,” he said.

“With the power of James Franklin, I thought if either myself, Steve (Adshead) or Chris (Taylor) stayed with him at the end we always had a chance but it was always going to be a tough chase and it’s very disappointing to finish second.”

Ex-England international Ed Joyce did the damage after Sussex were surprisingly asked to bat first, hitting 146 off 139 balls.

He shared an opening partnership of 62 with Chris Nash (32), another 56 with Luke Wright (36), before the third wicket stand of 144 with Murray Goodwin, who made a run-a-ball 60.

Jon Lewis (2-58) and Richard Dawson (2-50) took two wickets apiece for Gloucestershire but most bowlers were expensive, particularly James Franklin who went for 53 off six wicket-less overs.

Kadeer Ali fell early on for five, but Hamish Marshall struck 57 in a partnership of 155 with Gidman before he was crucially run out.

When Gidman was caught behind by Andrew Hodd off Sussex skipper Michael Yardy (4-54), the Gladiators were 252-5 and despite a valiant 34 from Franklin, their challenge faded as they were bowled out for 292 off 47.4 overs.

Only five of the first team squad are not involved in second team fixtures this week as Gloucestershire prepare for the Festival.

Ian Saxelby looks set to be ruled out for at least two weeks due to his troublesome knee.