Essex needed just 28 balls on the final day to wrap up an eight-wicket victory over Gloucestershire at Chelmsford.

Ravi Bopara just had time to reach a century, ending on 103 as he and Neil Dexter (71) smoothly steered the hosts to their victory target of 181.

Essex now travel to the Rose Bowl to take on Kent in the first semi-final of Saturday's Twenty20 Cup finals day.

Gloucestershire go home to Bristol still looking for their first win in the County Championship this season.

Bopara was confident from the word go on Friday, driving left-arm spinner Vikram Banerjee for six in the first over on his way to three figures.

His century was greeted with applause by the visiting players, despite an ill-tempered final session on Thrusday which ended with umpires Ian Gould and Nigel Cowley having words with both captains - Mark Pettini and the visitors' Jon Lewis.

Things came to a head after Lewis and his players were called back after heading for the pavilion after the requisite number of overs in a day had been sent down.

But with the total on 117-2 at the time, Essex, with the agreement of the officials, claimed the extra half-hour but then made no real attempt to score the additional 64 to win.

They managed to add only 33 in nine overs.

Angry words appeared to be exchanged between Lewis and the batsmen on several occasions and the Gloucestershire skipper also appeared to turn to the crowd and vent his feelings.

Gould confirmed that Lewis and Pettini were spoken to.

"We felt one or two things needed to be addressed and we spoke to both captains," he said.

"Everything was settled in an amicable manner and as far as I am concerned that is the end of the matter."

Lancashire have loaned out seamer Oliver Newby to Gloucestershire for a month-long period from 28 July.

Newby goes straight into Gloucestershire's squad for their Championship match against Worcestershire at Cheltenham from Wednesday.