category: Cricket
25.07.2008 12:26
Essex needed just 28 balls on the final day two wrap up an eight-wicket victory over Gloucestershire at Chelmsford.
Ravi Bopara just had time to reach a century, ending on 103 as he and Neil Dexter (71) smoothly steered the hosts to their victory target of 181.
Essex now travel to the Rose Bowl to take on Kent in the first semi-final of Saturday's Twenty20 Cup finals day.
Gloucestershire go home to Bristol still looking for their first win in the County Championship this season.
Original text is here