JAMES FRANKLIN enjoyed his best game since joining Gloucestershire but couldn’t prevent them from falling to a comprehensive defeat in the first game of the Cheltenham Festival, writes Rob Iles.

Derbyshire completed a 185-run win in Division Two yesterday as they bowled Gloucestershire out for 300 in the second innings, with Franklin the last man out for 109.

Two days earlier, the New Zealand all-rounder became the first county bowler in nine years to complete a hat-trick with the dismissal of Chris Rogers in Derbyshire’s second innings following the two wickets he took at the end of the first innings.

But Gloucestershire struggled throughout and were made to pay for dropped catches on day one as Derbyshire made 326.

Both Greg Smith and Rogers were reprieved early on in their innings, scoring 126 and 81 respectively.

The hosts were then skittled out for 164 with Alex Gidman top-scoring on 55.

Debutant Wayne Masden scored an unbeaten 170 as Derbyshire declared on 323-6 in their second innings, giving them more than a day to take ten Gloucestershire wickets.

The county will now look to recover as they get their Pro40 campaign underway tomorrow.

Gidman’s men face local rivals Worcestershire Royals on Friday, and meet Essex Eagles two days later on Sunday (both 1.45pm).

They then meet Northamptonshire in the County Championship on Monday (11am) before their final game at the Festival, which is another Pro40 contest against Durham Dynamos on Friday, July 24.

Adult tickets cost £14 and under-16s £7 in advance (at least 48 hours before match day) by calling 0117 9108010 or supporters can buy on the gate (subject to availability) for £19 for adults and £9 for under-16s.

There are many other things to experience at the festival, including free kids cricket coaching, local stalls and a variety of fringe events.

l Gloucestershire Academy player David Payne has been called up into the England squad for the Second Test match against Bangladesh under-19s.

The talented 18-year-old played in the England U18 development squad against Bangladesh last week.

Gloucestershire Academy Director, Owen Dawkins said: “This is a great achievement, which the whole club is excited about it.

“It is great for the rest of the Academy players to see what they can achieve and that our Academy programme is producing England players.”