Day 1:

Glous made 333 all out which relegated them once the ‘Sex picked up a second bowling bonus point.

However, this seem to inspire them as Bandara making (yet another batsman to make a career best against Middx) 70 and Alex Gidman and Steve Adshead all making contributions.

Middlesex cautiously survived to close making 20-0 from 10 overs.

Alan Richardson and Jamie Dalrymple were the pick of Middlesex's bowling attack, taking four wickets each.

Day 2:

A determined Glous fought back on a day finished at tea for bad light and rain.  Middx were 238-6 when the heavens opened with Ed Joyce 71 not out.

Rookie Will Rudge had removed the top three, including Ed Smith for 70, which started collapse and Bandara and Martyn Ball put the middle order in a spin as runs dried up and wickets fell.   People and Joyce fought back before the weather denied an intriguing final session. 

Day 3:

Glous had better of day setting up a tense final day for relegation threatened Middx. 

Bad start for Middx as Ed Joyce was run out adding 2 to his score unaware that Adshead had ball in hands as he stood his ground out of crease. Spinner Bandara took 5-71 as Middx were 297 all out. A 49 partnership by Betts and Clark left ‘Sex 3 short of a crucial bowling point.

Glous with a first innings lead of 35 then built on that to reach 261-6 at the close with Kadeer Ali contributing a patient 61. Mark Hardinges remained unbeaten on 45 with Bandara on 21.   

Day 4:

Middlesex's batsmen could not reach a target of 324 to beat Glous on the final day leaving the final relegation place wide open.

A good start for Middx dismissing Gloucestershire for 287 from an overnight position of 261-6, opening game up.   

After a lightening start spinners Ball and Bandara stemmed run rate and draw inevitable result.  There was slow hand clapping by crowd as chase was given up before tea and Glous were unable to break through. 3 drooped catches by Steve Adshead proved to be crucial.

Joyce was dismissed for 90 late in the day as match petered out to a bore draw in blazing sunshine.

Please click here for a scorecard for this match

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