County Championship: Gloucestershire suffer at hands of Essex bowlers

Specsavers County Championship Division Two leaders Essex bowled themselves into a winning position on day three against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham.

Although Gloucestershire captain Gareth Roderick (102) helped himself to a first century of the season, it was Essex bowlers Matt Quinn (4-87) and Graham Napier (4-62) who stole the show by triggering a collapse of eight wickets for 62 runs, putting their side within sight of victory.

Leading by 78 from first innings, Essex bowled out Gloucestershire for 290 and closed the penultimate day on 16-1, needing a further 197 runs for victory.

Roderick looked in good touch from the outset, sharing a 148-run opening partnership with Chris Dent (72) before the latter was bowled by Ravi Bopara.

The Gloucestershire skipper was joined at the crease by Graeme van Buuren, who smashed a quick-fire 25 from 17 balls before edging Quinn to James Foster behind the stumps.

Roderick struck 11 fours in his 140-ball knock of 102 before he was trapped lbw by Bopara, leaving the hosts 228-3.

Michael Klinger tried to stabilise the innings but Hamish Marshall and Jack Taylor were both dismissed by Quinn without scoring, before he sent Kieran Noema-Barnett (10) and Craig Miles (9) packing, reducing Gloucestershire to 266-7.

Napier rattled out David Payne (0), Liam Norwell (0) and Josh Shaw (7), leaving Klinger stranded, unbeaten on 53.

Essex did lose Jaik Mickleburgh (1) before the close, bowled by Payne, but the leaders will fancy their chances of winning and increasing the lead at the top of the table.