Bowlers make hay at Bristol

Alex Gidman and Steve Snell set off in pursuit as Jon Lewis celebrates the departure of James Foster without scoring

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Ball continued to dominate over bat as wickets tumbled once again on the second day of the LV= County Championship Division Two encounter at Bristol.

The visitors were bowled out for 177, a first-innings lead of just 22, but hit back to build a winning position thanks to Chambers’ efforts.

Though Ryan ten Doeschate top-scored with 42 for Essex, a Gloucestershire attack deprived of overseas signing James Franklin because of a hamstring problem prospered as skipper Alex Gidman claimed 3-23 and Jon Lewis 2-39.

In their second innings Gloucestershire openers Craig Spearman and Kadeer Ali shared a half-century stand.

But Chambers (3-30), ten Doeschate (2-32) and David Masters (3-12) reduced Gloucestershire to a perilous 88 for eight before they closed on 115 for nine, a lead of just 93.

Essex began the day on 60 for three and added 19 without mishap before Chris Wright drove Ian Saxelby to Grant Hodnett – substitute fielder for Franklin – at gully.

The nightwatchman’s 21 was made more valuable by the context of the game and Essex looked set to build a comfortable lead as they moved to 105 for four.

But skipper Mark Pettini was run out for eight by Hamish Marshall as he went in search of a second to third man.

Ryan ten Doeschate marshals the Essex tail to good effect, helping to establish a 22-run first-innings lead

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James Foster followed for a duck to a low Hamish Marshall slip catch off Lewis and when Jaik Mickleburgh's stubborn innings of 32 ended courtesy of an edge behind off Gidman, Essex were suddenly in trouble at 109 for seven.

James Middlebrook and ten Doeschate added 66 either side of lunch, but the game then swung again as the last three wickets fell in the space of nine balls.

Gidman removed ten Doeschate, who holed out to Saxelby at deep square-leg, and also claimed the wicket of Middlebrook, caught behind.

In between, Masters gave Hodnett his second catch at gully off the gentle medium pace of Marshall.

Gloucestershire looked to be taking a grip when Spearman and Kadeer put on 51. The latter made his displeasure clear at being given out on 27 by umpire John Holder, who ruled he had nicked a ball from ten Doeschate to wicketkeeper James Foster.

It signalled yet another sway in fortunes. Spearman was pinned lbw by Chambers for 28 and Marshall became Foster's seventh victim of the match when driving airily at ten Doeschate.

Gidman never looked happy as the ball seamed around and soon fell leg before to Chambers for five.

At 75 for four, Gloucestershire were just 53 ahead and they suffered another blow when Chris Taylor fenced at Chambers to give Foster another catch.

Franklin was able to bat at seven, but soon required a runner. Steve Snell was bowled by Masters shouldering arms and Saxelby departed lbw next ball.

When Lewis was yorked by Wright eight wickets had fallen for 37 runs in 16 overs.