Thumping win not enough for Gloucs

Steve Kirby's three wickets took him to 64 for the championship season, a stellar effort for Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire wrapped up their sixth LV= County Championship victory of the season inside three days against Division Two title-winners Kent at Bristol - but still missed out on promotion.

Northamptonshire’s victory over Leicestershire meant Gloucestershire could not grab runners-up spot.

However, they still finished a much improved season on a high note after Steve Adshead’s 114 had boosted their first innings total to 552 all out.

That gave Gloucestershire a lead of 288 and, despite teenager Sam Northeast carrying his bat in making 128 not out - his maiden century for Kent - the visitors collapsed to 265 all out to lose by an innings and 23 runs.

Geraint Jones was unable to bat because of a neck problem.

The third day began in unusual fashion when Gloucestershire all-rounder James Franklin retired on his overnight score of 104 to take no further part in the game, having been called up by New Zealand to replace the injured Jacob Oram in their ICC Champions Trophy squad.

The home side were allowed to bring in a replacement, Anthony Ireland, who was later dismissed for a duck.

However, Adshead moved from his overnight 86 not out to a second century of the season off 129 balls, with 18 fours and a six. A breezy 43, including four sixes, from Jon Lewis ensured Gloucestershire’s highest total of the summer.

They were bowled out before lunch, which was taken with Kent 38 without loss.

When England Under-19 player Northeast and skipper Rob Key took the total to 101 it seemed their side were ready to make a fight of it, despite their large first-innings deficit.

But once Key was bowled by Steve Kirby for 46, Kent batted as though they had nothing to play for.

The exception was the promising Northeast, who produced a series of pleasant strokes in reaching his century off 133 balls, with 18 fours.

Sam Northeast was left stranded on 128 not out after a shoddy showing from his team-mates at Bristol

It was an innings full of potential from the 19-year-old, but he received scant support as a sequence of over-ambitious shots led to wickets. The third highest score was last man Amjad Khan’s 29.

Steve Kirby claimed 2-54 to finish the season with 64 first-class wickets, while Lewis (2-45) ended with 56.

Ireland, who was not due to play in the match, took 2-91 and Hamish Marshall 2-53.

Gloucestershire earned 22 points to Kent’s four, but ultimately paid the price for losing six games and not batting consistently enough.

Before leaving to join up with New Zealand in South Africa, Franklin was presented with his county cap, having agreed a new contract with Gloucestershire for 2010.