MALMESBURY gained some measure of revenge over Gloucester City after their opening Gloucestershire & Wiltshire Division 2 defeat of the previous day, notching up a convincing 77-run victory in the National Knockout at the Spa Ground.
Inserted, Malmesbury set off at a brisk rate with Richard Gaunt and Mark Lester putting on 35 in the first five overs, before Richard Mosdell (52) and Stuart McNeil (69) put on 126 for the third wicket.
The innings then fell away to finish on 215 off the allotted 45 overs, but that proved more than enough as Gaunt (4-41), Lester and Mosdell curtailed the home reply to set up a home tie against Premier League Bath this Sunday.
The previous day, Gaunt starred with an unbeaten 100 but it was not enough to prevent Malmesbury slipping to an opening league defeat.
In a match played in damp conditions, Malmesbury's 177-6 looked a creditable total.
Jason Hooper, though, raced to 58 off just 43 deliveries in reply and that gave Gloucester just the impetus they needed.
Dave Collinson took up the mantle for the home side and his unbeaten 59 eventually saw them to 178-5 and victory.
Malmesbury return to league action this Saturday, with the visit of fellow Wiltshire side Marshfield.
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