Home comforts for Lewis

Jon Lewis © Getty Images

Gloucestershire captain Jon Lewis is relishing the visit of Yorkshire to Bristol in the quarter-finals of the Friends Provident Trophy.

Lewis’ side were confirmed as winners of the South/West Division after their final group match against Worcestershire was washed out without a ball being bowled.

Yorkshire, who were denied top spot in the North Division after rain prevented them from wrapping up victory over Lancashire, travel to the County Ground on June 4 to do battle for a place in the last four.

But Lewis is confident Gloucestershire can make home advantage count and progress to the semi-finals of the competition they won four times between 1999 and 2004.

“I think the most important thing from the quarter-final draw is that we are at home,” said Lewis.

“I would be confident to play any of the teams that were drawn out the hat at Bristol because we know our conditions and how to play on our home patch.

“Yorkshire Carnegie are obviously a big club with high expectations and I look forward to the challenge of playing against them next Wednesday.”

Tickets for the match, which starts at noon, went on sale this morning priced £9 for adults (£13 for non-members) and £4 for under-16s (£6 for non-members).

They can be purchased on the Gloucestershire website, by telephoning 0117 910 8010 or on the gate on the day of the game.

Kent skipper Robert Key echoed Lewis’ thoughts after the Spitfires - winners of the South/East Division - secured a home clash with Somerset.

“It’s fantastic to get a home draw,” Key said. “I’m sure the Kent fans will get right behind us, as usual, and make it a great atmosphere.

“We are playing very well in the Friends Provident Trophy but will have to be at our very best against a tough Somerset side.

“Justin Langer has got them well drilled so it will be very difficult. We lost to them recently in the championship at Tunbridge Wells so hopefully we can gain revenge at Canterbury.”

Entry is free for Kent members, while tickets for non-members range from £8 for juniors to £15 for adults.

Tickets for Durham’s encounter with Nottinghamshire at the Riverside are also on sale from the Durham website or by phoning the box office on 0844 499 4466.