TWENTY20 CUP MIDS/WEST/WALES DIVISION, Northampton:
Gloucestershire 134-8 beat Northants 133 (Glos 2pts, Northants 0pts)

Gemaal Hussain took 3-22 to improve his best bowling figures in Twenty20

Northants' hopes of a place in the Twenty20 Cup quarter-finals were jolted by a shock second straight home defeat.

After winning their first five matches, the defeat by Somerset before the break has now been followed by a two-wicket loss to bottom side Gloucestershire.

The Mids/West/Wales Division leaders again could only muster 133, Gemaal Hussain taking a Twenty20 best 3-22.

Grant Hodnett then hit 60 as Gloucestershire reached their victory target with one ball to spare.

Gloucestershire had previously only won match of their first six Twenty20 Cup games this season and have nothing to play for.

But Northants, four-times beaten quarter-finalists, are now in a three-way tie with Somerset and Warwickshire, who have played a game more, at the top of the Mids/West/Wales Division on 10 points each.

The Steelbacks had started the day top of their group and were fancied to overturn backmarkers Gloucestershire.

But, having reached 84-2, they then collapsed, losing seven wickets for just 30 runs. And only two huge final over sixes from Johan van der Wath helped them post a total of 133.

Despite also suffering a late collapse prompted by Nicky Boje's 3-23, Hodnett's innings proved the foundation for the visitors to sneak home.

Northants go to Taunton on Thursday night (25 June, 1730 BST) looking to avenge their earlier defeat by Somerset.

Gloucestershire's next game is also against Somerset the following night (26 June, 1730 BST).

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