Gloucestershire's Young Guns Power Past Somerset in Thrilling Vitality Blast Derby

Gloucestershire's young guns, Oliver Price and Ben Charlesworth, orchestrated a thrilling five-wicket triumph over arch-rivals Somerset in a Vitality Blast derby encounter at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol.

Somerset, the defending champions, posted a formidable 188 for 4 after losing the toss, thanks to a high-octane 79 from Tom Banton. Banton dominated crucial partnerships with Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Tom Abell, smashing eight fours and three sixes.

Gloucestershire's chase got off to a solid start with Miles Hammond crashing three boundaries in the third over. However, Riley Meredith's yorker dismissed Cameron Bancroft, and Roelof van der Merwe bowled Hammond for 39.

With rain threatening, Gloucestershire needed to keep up with the required rate. James Bracey and Charlesworth staged a 41-run stand, but Somerset's spinners, van der Merwe and Jack Leach, struck back to leave Gloucestershire reeling at 106 for 4.

Enter Price and Charlesworth. The young duo unleashed a blistering unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 82 in just 32 balls. Price top-scored with 43 from 15 deliveries, including four sixes and three fours, while Charlesworth contributed a 19-ball 36 with two sixes and four fours.

Their aggressive hitting propelled Gloucestershire to victory with eight balls to spare, sending a sell-out crowd of 7,000 into raptures. The win improved Gloucestershire's prospects of reaching the knockout stages, while Somerset missed out on a chance to take over leadership of the South Group.

Tags: #VitalityBlast, #Gloucestershire, #Somerset, #OliverPrice, #BenCharlesworth