Gloucestershire retain Trophy

Gloucestershire lift the C&G Trophy after beating Worcestershire once again

Gloucestershire continue to demonstrate time and again that if you focus on your strengths rewards will follow, and so it proved in the 2004 Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy final as they ran out eight-wicket winners over Worcestershire at Lord’s.

Gloucestershire are not a team packed with internationals such as a Lancashire or a Surrey, but they do posses an unwavering self-belief in their collective spirit that has seen them monopolise the C&G in the last few years.

It began five years ago with New Zealand coach John Bracewell who, prior to making the Black Caps such a force on the world stage, transformed the fortunes of Gloucestershire with a new focus on limited-overs cricket.

Bracewell quickly realised that his new charges could not compete with the big boys in championship matches, where four days of play exposed the club’s frailties.

As such he chose to concentrate most of his energies on the 50-over format and gradually turned his team into the best one-day side in the country.

On paper Gloucestershire are a team of ”everymen”, a point that provoked many to question whether their reign as C&G kings would come to an end this year.

Mark Alleyne enjoyed success in his first season as player-coach at Gloucestershire

Once again though, under the guidance of Mark Alleyne, they showed just how important the team ethic is and swept all before them to lift cricket’s equivalent of the FA Cup.

The 2004 final was a repeat of 2003, when Worcestershire came up short in a very one-sided affair, and the Pears were determined to produce a better showing this time around.

They were given extra incentive by the decision of club stalwart Steve Rhodes to retire at the end of the season, and the knock-out trophy was the club’s best chance of silverware and an opportunity to end Rhodes’ career on a high.

However, in an ironic twist of fate, it was a former Worcestershire player who proved their undoing. Phil Weston, a Grace Road man from 1991 to 2003, returned to haunt his former employees with a masterful 110 as Gloucestershire successfully chased the 237 runs needed to win with eight wickets remaining and more than six overs to spare.

Phil Weston celebrates his century in the final

"I have played the game for a long time and it was very special, particularly for someone who has never experienced Test cricket to do well on such an important day," said Weston. "For that reason it was the most satisfying innings of my career.

"To do well in a Lord's final, on a really big occasion, is something I will always remember. I have been backed to go and play one-day cricket and people have confidence in me which is something I did not have before.”

There were shocks aplenty throughout the competition, none more so than in the second round when Leicestershire lost to Devon and Surrey went down to a five-wicket defeat against Ireland, a result that ranks amongst the greatest achievements in Irish cricket history.

"Obviously for a side like ourselves to come up against a full-time side of professionals like Surrey and beat them as comprehensively as we did is massive,” stated Ireland captain Jason Molins.

“I wouldn't want to describe Surrey as the Manchester United of cricket because I am a fan of United myself - maybe Arsenal might be a better comparison.

"There were eight internationals in their team - six English and two Pakistani. For us to come up against that level and get a result is amazing."

Ireland were eventually knocked out by Northamptonshire, but Molins insisted that the experience would reap untold benefits for the team.

“The long-term goal for Irish cricket is qualifying for the 2007 World Cup,” he added. “Playing against the pros in competitive games like that is a great experience for us.”

Michael Vaughan made a century for Yorkshire against Roses rivals Lancashire

Michael Vaughan made a rare appearance for Yorkshire in a mouth-watering quarter-final Roses encounter at Old Trafford. The England skipper struck 116 not out to lead his side to a three-wicket win over Lancashire and a place in the last four.

“That was special,” Vaughan enthused. “I don’t get that many chances to play for Yorkshire, so when I do I like to perform.

“There is no better way to do that than winning a game at Old Trafford and making a century to help it happen.”

Vikram Solanki made centuries in both the semi-final and final

The White Rose county, trophy winners in 2002, were eventually knocked out by Gloucestershire, while Warwickshire suffered at the hands of Worcestershire - Vikram Solanki producing the form that would earn him a call-up to the England one-day side with a dazzling 126.

Solanki continued his hot streak with a commanding 115 in the final, after Worcestershire had lost three early wickets for just eight runs, to help his side post a respectable 236 for nine off 50 overs.

But it was all in vain as Weston starred with the bat and, ably assisted by Craig Spearman (70), he saw Gloucestershire to yet another one-day title.