COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Cheltenham:
Derbyshire 326 and 323-6 dec beat Gloucestershire 164 and 300 by 185 runs (Derbys 20pts, Glos 3pts)

Off-spinner Jake Needham picked up 3-51 from 14.4 overs

Derbyshire wrapped up a 185-run victory over Gloucestershire on day four at Cheltenham despite a century from New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin.

Chasing 486 to win, the hosts resumed on 148-4 and saw Franklin share a stand of 94 with captain Alex Gidman (60).

But when Gidman was bowled by Tim Groenewald (3-64), Jake Needham (3-51) and Graham Wagg (2-96) ran through the tail to dismiss the home side for 300.

Franklin was last man out for 109 to send Derbyshire top of Division Two.

After being unbeaten on 39 overnight, Gidman reached his half-century in 75 deliveries with nine fours before being bowled attempting a pull shot when the ball ricocheted off his thigh pad.

Wicketkeeper Steve Snell added 28 with Franklin for the sixth wicket before he and Jon Lewis fell in successive balls to Needham.

Franklin was well supported by Steve Kirby after lunch, but when Wagg, first bowling seam and then switching to left-arm spin, enticed both Kirby and Vikram Banerjee to edge to the slips, the end drew near.

Franklin brought up his first first-class century in England off 181 balls with a leg-side boundary off Wagg, but it was not enough to prevent Derbyshire, who have only recorded two wins this season, climbing to the top of the table.

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