Gloucestershire qualified for August 29's final of the NatWest Trophy at Lord's against Somerset following a thrilling six-run victory over Yorkshire yesterday. Sean Beynon reports from Bristol.

Despite a valiant attempt by Yorkshire, Gloucestershire have made it to Lord's for the second time this month. Kim Barnett's 98 meant that Yorkshire fell six runs short of a victory target of 241 as Gloucester's bowlers turned the screw.

The game was thrilling to the last as Yorkshire appeared to be fading away, but 23 from the penultimate over of the match led to a cracking finish, Ian Harvey managing to keep his nerve to stop Yorkshire's road to Lord's.

This, though, was Gloucester's day. Winning the toss, Mark Alleyne had no hesitation in deciding to bat. Typical of the wickets at Bristol, this was slow and low. The Yorkshire seam attack was severely depleted, missing Gough, Silverwood and Hamilton, but Hutchinson and Sidebottom made batting tough.

Tim Hancock was able to get on top of the bowling. He struck 40 from 61 balls including a towering six over long-on. Hancock is a truly professional cricketer, he is always bubbly in the field and was particularly disappointed when he missed a straight one from Vaughan.

At the other end, Barnett struggled. He wasn't able to time the ball, and played very scratchily. It was only when Rob Cunliffe strode to the crease at number four that the 39 year old was able to get on top of the bowling. Barnett reached his 50 in the 39th over, and was unfortunate to be run-out, attempting an ill-judged single. Cunliffe fell the same way, run out pushing for a second run. His knock, of 38 came from just 36 balls, including 3 fours, and may well have been vital. He struck the ball crisply, and though Barnett may take the headlines, Cunliffe's knock should not go unnoticed.

The inevitable cluster of wickets fell at the death, Alleyne for nine, Harvey bowled first ball, trying to force the pace and Snape skying a catch to long on. Still, a total of 240 was respectable, but still obtainable from a Yorkshire point of view.

Yorkshire's Craig White and Michael Vaughan found it difficult to get after the miserly medium pace of Mike Smith and the variety of Ian Harvey. White lost all patience and was bowled by Smith, who finished with figures of 1-20 from his 10 overs.

Vaughan, who was tipped by many to receive an England call-up, struck the ball hard and showed that he posses a very fine technique as he made 54 until he got a leading edge, caught and bowled by Jeremy Snape. This wicket was crucial, Snape's bowling being hard to hit, simply because he changes his flight and pace so often.

What followed put Yorkshire in the driving seat. They took control as Byas and Harden pushed on to 161-2, and with overs and wickets in hand, they looked favourites. Two of those wickets fell in one Mark Alleyne over. The Gloucester captain bowled Harden for 37, the ex-Somerset player trying to make room for himself. Anthony McGrath lasted just three balls before he became a victim of some magnificent glove work from Jack Russell, celebrating his 36th birthday. Russell stood up to the stumps for the majority of the innings, and whipped the bails off in a flash as McGrath strayed out of his crease. A wait for the third umpire; red light, Gloucestershire delight.

Ian Harvey and Mike Cawdron bowled economically, and with two overs left, Yorkshire needed over 30 runs to win with just five wickets in hand. Never say never. Gary Fellows hit Mike Cawdron to all parts, which, apart from blotting Cawdron's figures ensured that Yorkshire had a chance. 23 runs were belted from the blades of Fellows and Byas, the Yorkshire contingent were jumping.

Still, cometh the hour, cometh the man. The man was, naturally Ian Harvey. Harvey steadied his nerve, and removed Fellow's off bail. Harvey was delighted, for now Yorkshire were out of the game. The last two balls led to Richard Blakey needing eight to force a tie. He couldn't do it, and for the first time, an all west-country final is in prospect. If that game is reaches anywhere near the tension of this encounter, it will be a final to remember.