Lewis a true Gladiator

Jon Lewis carved through Surrey's middle order

NUL: Division Two: Gloucestershire 164-9 (43.3 overs) beat Surrey 163-9 (45 overs) by one wicket, at Bristol

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Gloucestershire Gladiators needed all their one-day expertise as they snatched a thrilling one-wicket National League victory against Surrey Lions at Bristol.

The home side looked to be facing certain defeat in this Norwich Union Division Two match after being reduced to 115 for eight in reply to Surrey's 163.

But Martyn Ball (45) and Jon Lewis (27 not out) helped produce a stubborn fightback to earn the hosts their first win of their Norwich Union League campaign in a tense climax.

Gloucestershire had elected to field first but that decision began to look the wrong option as Surrey made a flying start.

Ali Brown was in typically aggressive mood and completed a rapid half-century from just 39 balls with a boundary in the 14th over.

But Surrey collapsed in dramatic fashion from 86-1 to 103-7. Lewis, who dismissed Brown for 54, carved through Surrey's illustrious middle order.

Resistance

But Jeremy Batty (28 not out), Martin Bicknell (15) and Ed Giddins (13 not out) provided late resistance and at least allowed the Lions to use up all their overs.

Lewis finished with the pick of the bowling figures - four for 22 from nine overs.

Gloucestershire's run chase began badly as Bicknell dismissed Craig Spearman in the first over when he was caught at midwicket by Ramprakash.

Kim Barnett was then adjudged lbw in the fourth over to Giddins as the Gladiators were reduced to seven for two.

Once the home side then slumped further, it became clear their hopes would rest largely on the shoulders of Ball and he began to chip away at the target.

Chris Taylor and James Averis helped move the total on to 115 for eight before Lewis arrived to give Ball the support he needed.

Ball was out with 18 still wanted, but in a nail-biting finale, Lewis did enough to take Gloucestershire home.

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Gloucestershire: K J Barnett (Capt), C M Spearman, M G N Windows C G Taylor, A M Smith, R C Russell (Wkt), J N Snape, M C J Ball M A Hardinges, J M M Averis, J Lewis.

Surrey: A D Brown, I J Ward (Capt), M R Ramprakash, N Shahid M A Carberry, J N Batty (Wkt), M P Bicknell, A J Tudor, R Clarke S Mushtaq, E S H Giddins.