Yorkshire go through

Seamer Matthew Hoggard has Marcus North caught behind for his third wicket

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Matthew Hoggard made a triumphant return to action as Yorkshire Carnegie powered into the semi-finals of the Friends Provident Trophy after a six-wicket win over Gloucestershire Gladiators at Bristol.

The England paceman, who had been sidelined for two-and-a-half weeks with a broken thumb, picked up three of the first five wickets to fall to help restrict the home side to 201 all out.

Hoggard finished with 3-26 from his 10 overs - his best one-day figures for nearly six years in all competitions - although he was aided by some undistinguished Gloucestershire batting after they had been put in.

Then a battling half-century from veteran Craig White and a more fluent 50 from Jacques Rudolph settled the issue for Darren Gough’s side with 5.5 overs to spare.

Opener Andrew Gale struck three quick boundaries when Yorkshire set off in pursuit of their modest target but fell victim to Gloucestershire skipper Jon Lewis who bowled him for 12 after he aimed to turn the ball onto the leg-side.

Anthony McGrath was also full of aggressive intent and greeted the arrival of Anthony Ireland into the attack with three fours in his first over.

The 50 came up in only 12 overs before the introduction of Alex Gidman and Mark Hardinges signalled a significant drop in the scoring rate.

McGrath survived one difficult chance when on 25 but six runs later perished when he tried to work Hardinges on the leg side and was bowled.

White and Rudolph added 55 in 12 overs in untroubled fashion only for two wickets to fall in four overs to briefly raise Gloucestershire’s hopes.

White reached his half-century off 100 balls with four fours but Lewis recalled himself to the attack and the first delivery of the spell saw the 38-year-old hole out to Hardinges at mid-on.

Hardinges gained a second success in his final over when Chris Taylor pulled off a superb low catch at point to account for Gerard Brophy at 139 for four in the 37th over.

But then Rudolph, who reached his 50 off 68 balls with six fours, and Adam Lyth hurried Yorkshire through to their first semi-final since 2005 with a stand of 66.

William Porterfield is bowled round his legs by Tim Bresnan

Wicketkeeper Steve Adshead had earlier registered his highest score for Gloucestershire in the competition to rescue them from a disastrous start although his efforts ultimately proved in vain.

Adshead, who was dropped on 17, struck 71 off 73 balls with seven fours and a six to help Gloucestershire recover from 50 for six after they had been put in by Tykes skipper Darren Gough.

It surpassed his previous best for the county of 69 not out against Worcestershire in 2006.

Hoggard did not have the best of starts and conceded 10 runs in his first over with Will Porterfield cover driving him for four as Gloucestershire reached 25 for nought.

The England paceman did send back Hamish Marshall, Gidman and Marcus North, but his fine efforts were surpassed by new ball partner Tim Bresnan who ended with 4-31 from his two spells.

Hoggard’s first victim came courtesy of a long hop which Hamish Marshall cut straight to point where Richard Pyrah took an excellent catch at full strength.

Then his second success came when Gidman lofted straight to midwicket where Lyth took a straightforward catch.

Hoggard picked up his third wicket when he had North caught behind by Brophy and Yorkshire enjoyed more success when Pyrah had Hardinges caught behind.

And then Adshead on 17 survived a more difficult chance when he turned Adil Rashid to Rudolph who was unable to cling to a low opportunity at midwicket.

Taylor and Adshead added 82 in only 14 overs for the seventh wicket to lead a partial recovery.

Taylor who was put down on 12, reached his 50 his off 71 balls but three balls later he was run out going for a second run.

Adshead’s half-century came off 50 balls with seven boundaries before Bresnan returned to the attack to dismiss Lewis and Carl Greenidge in successive overs.

But Ireland helped Adshead add 31 for the last wicket to take the score past 200 before the latter holed out to Gough on the midwicket boundary off McGrath.