Report: Bears v Gloucestershire, Second XI T20
The Bears 2nd XI suffered an eight-wicket T20 Blast defeat to a strong Gloucestershire side at Portland Road.
Batting first, the Bears were bowled out for 100 in just 16.1 overs. Jake Bethell continued his excellent form with a well-constructed 42 (27 balls, five fours, one six) but the last six wickets fell for 27 runs in 37 balls to leave 23 balls unused.
Carlos Brathwaite did his best to keep a lid on Gloucestershire’s reply with a skilful spell of 2-1-1-1 but after James Bracey (21, 14 balls) gave the chase early momentum, skipper Jack Taylor hurried his side to victory with an unbeaten 41 from 20 balls.
The Bears’ other wicket-taker was academy product Che Simmonds, fresh from graduating to the full-time pro ranks after this week signing a three-year contact with the Bears.