Northants shock champions

Rain and champagne soak the home balcony

Northamptonshire 129 (49.5 overs) beat Gloucestershire 101 (33.4 overs) by 27 runs under D/L method
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A superb all-round performance by Tony Penberthy took some of the gloss off Gloucestershire's celebrations at Bristol.

Home skipper Mark Alleyne was presented with the National League trophy after the rain-affected match, which was watched by a crowd of 3,500, but Penberthy prevented a winning climax to their season.

It looked as if Gloucestershire would cruise to victory as they reduced Northants to 32 for five.

Australian Ian Harvey bowled Jeff Cook with the first ball of the innings and his eventual figures of five for 19 gave him 34 in the competition this season, beating his own county record of 30 which he set last summer.

Northamptonshire's eventual total of 129 was based around two middle order partnerships involving first Penberthy and David Ripley and, after Ripley had been bowled by Martyn Ball for 17, then Penberthy and Kevin Innes.

Penberthy: An important contribution with bat and ball

Penberthy faced 63 balls for his 30 before being stumped by Jack Russell off Harvey, while Innes top scored with 32.

Paceman Darren Cousins dismissed openers Tim Hancock and Kim Barnett to leave Gloucestershire 41 for two, but Harvey produced an aggressive innings of 43 from 27 deliveries.

The home side fell apart, however, once Penberthy has bowled Harvey in the 14th over and he also accounted for Matt Windows, Alleyne, Chris Taylor and Ball for figures of five for 29.

Off-spinner Jason Brown conceded only 12 runs in his nine overs and was rewarded with the wicket of James Averis, who offered a caught and bowled chance.

It was left to Innes to wrap up the match for Northants by having last man Mike Smith caught by Matthew Hayden for two.