Gloucestershire 206 for 6 (Taylor 80, Bancroft 44, Gorvin 3-26) triumphed over Glamorgan 85 (Payne 3-7, Smith 3-33) by 121 runs.
Jack Taylor's explosive unbeaten 80 led Gloucestershire to a resounding 121-run win against Glamorgan in the Vitality Blast at Cheltenham. Taylor’s 35-ball knock, featuring seven sixes and four fours, propelled Gloucestershire to a formidable 206 for 6 in front of a packed College Ground crowd. Contributions from Cameron Bancroft (44) and James Bracey (31) set a strong foundation, while Beau Webster added 33 in a blistering partnership of 63 with Taylor, marking Gloucestershire's largest T20 victory margin.
Glamorgan, facing an insurmountable target, collapsed to 85 all out in 15.5 overs. Five of their top six batters failed to reach double figures, with only Colin Ingram offering any resistance with a score of 20. David Payne, maintaining his excellent form in the short format, took 3 for 7 from three overs. Tom Smith and Josh Shaw chipped in with 3 for 33 and 2 for 7 respectively, ensuring Gloucestershire's win well within the allotted overs.
Occupying fifth place in the South Group, Gloucestershire's hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals remain alive following Essex’s loss to Surrey. A win against Middlesex in their final game at Chelmsford, combined with an Essex loss to Hampshire, would secure their progression.
Reflecting on the match, Taylor expressed his satisfaction, noting how it was a great conclusion to the Cheltenham Festival. He praised Bancroft and Bracey for laying a solid foundation, which allowed Webster and himself to accelerate in the later stages. Taylor was particularly pleased with his own performance, acknowledging the significance of any score over 200 in T20, and commended the bowlers for setting the tone and maintaining pressure after early wickets.
Glamorgan captain Kiran Carlson’s decision to field first seemed justified when Timm van der Gugten opened with a wicket maiden, dismissing Miles Hammond. However, Bracey quickly changed the momentum with consecutive boundaries and Bancroft’s aggressive 23-run over against Jamie McIlroy propelled the innings forward, ending the power play at 61 for 1.
Bracey’s six off van der Gugten took him past 1,000 T20 runs, but he was soon out for 31. Bancroft followed after scoring 44, leaving Gloucestershire at 92 for 3 at the halfway mark. Taylor then dominated the bowling, hitting Mason Crane for six and continuing his assault to raise his half-century in just 24 balls. Despite losing Webster, Ben Charlesworth, and Ollie Price, Taylor’s unbeaten 80 ensured an imposing total.
Gloucestershire's bowlers then dismantled Glamorgan, starting with Payne’s two early wickets. Shaw and Matt Taylor continued the onslaught, reducing Glamorgan to 18 for 4 during the power play. Smith removed key batsmen Cooke and Ingram, while Webster trapped van der Gugten lbw. Glamorgan crumbled to 48 for 7, with Shaw and Payne wrapping up the innings with 4.1 overs remaining.