Gloucestershire Vs. Lancashire LVCC day four.

Lancashire claim Division Two title.

Lancashire’s return to the first division had already been sealed with a draw in their final home match of the season, but a further draw with Gloucestershire, in another rain-affected draw, sealed silverware for the 2011 county Champions.

The Champions were fully aware that their match with Gloucestershire was going to be drawn, but they continued to play as Champions, giving a performance worthy of the victory bestowed upon them.

Gloucestershire were skittled-out for 209, losing six wickets for 23 runs, falling from 132-3 to 155-9. Were it not for a last-wicket stand between David Payne (16) and Matthew Taylor (26) worth 54, Gloucestershire would have been subjected to the possibility of a follow-on.

With captain Glen Chapple suffering from a hamstring injury, Oliver Newby and Tom Smith were able to share four wickets apiece, ending the host’s innings just before the lunch interval.

Opener’s Paul Horton and Luis Reece treated themselves to half-centuries, as the pair accumulated their fourth century-stand, cementing their roles in this position for next season.

Reece’s was the fastest, coming from 65 balls, but Horton reached his first, reaching his half century from 72 deliveries.

Horton departed for 55, but was replaced by Ashwell Prince, whose unbeaten 40 saw him fall five runs shy of 15,000 first-class runs, a milestone he is certain to reach in the near future.

It had now become very clear that Luis Reece was the focal point of the match and once his innings ended, so would the game. The talented opener, who had already hit his eighth fifty in nine innings, passed his previous best score for Lancashire of 85, as he searched for his maiden hundred.

Confirmation of Northamptonshire’s draw secured the title for Lancashire, but with Luis Reece on 97 he was bowled by Payne, momentarily sinking the hearts of the Lancashire faithful.

The proper recognition was given to the left-handed opener as he left the pitch, but celebrations soon emerged from the players, involving a humorous soaking of coach, Peter Moores, courtesy of Newby and a bottle of Veuve Cliquot!