Moore sets up Worcestershire

Stephen Moore cleared the rope three times in his innings © Getty Images

Stephen Moore's 41 from just 24 balls helped Worcestershire to a 59-run victory over Gloucestershire in a low-scoring Twenty20 Cup contest at Bristol.

The Gladiators were bowled out for a miserable 93 in reply to 152 for eight, Mark Hardinges top-scoring with 27, and look on course for bottom place in the Midlands/West/Wales group.

Moore's 41 for the Royals was part of a key third-wicket partnership of 75 with Ben Smith, who made 32.

Worcestershire were soon plunged into trouble after winning the toss as Vikram Solanki was caught at short extra cover off AJ Harris and Graeme Hick had his middle stump removed by Steve Kirby.

From 10 for two, Moore and Smith played freely for seven overs, the latter striking three sixes in an over from left-arm spinner Ian Fisher, as well as three fours.

The pair put the Royals on top at 85 for two, but both fell in the same Hardinges over and a see-saw contest looked to be back under the control of the Gladiators. Smith had faced 28 balls and hit five boundaries in his fluid knock.

Steve Davies was run out by Harris and Hardinges added the wickets of Moeen Ali and Mitchell as the innings subsided.

However, Gareth Batty hit a valuable 29 not out off 25 balls at the death to make the total competitive with Hardinges, the pick of the Gloucestershire attack, returning 4-30 from four overs.

Harris - on loan from Nottinghamshire - impressed for the second time in 24 hours, following figures of 2-19 against Glamorgan, with 1-24 from four overs bowled straight through at the start.

Gloucestershire’s reply got off to a disastrous start when opener Jackson Thompson was run out in the first over, his third successive duck in the competition.

Soon it was 27 for four as Chris Whelan picked up two wickets, including the dangerous Hamish Marshall.

Chris Taylor briefly threatened with a quick 20, but when he fell to Mitchell it was 51 for five and the Royals were in total command.

Hardinges delayed the inevitable with a few lusty blows, but he was run out at the non-striker’s end with the total on 90 and the Gladiators’ last hope had gone.

They were bowled out in just 16 overs and have won only once in the group after reaching the final last year.