Northamptonshire found themselves in a commanding position when bad light and then rain curtailed day three of their 2nd XI Championship match against Gloucestershire at Bristol Cricket Club.

Resuming on their overnight total of 116-1, Gloucestershire found themselves on the ropes as soon as the third over of the morning when Nathan Buck ripped through the top order removing Phillips, Naish and Wells in the space of just seven balls.

By lunch they were eight down as the Northamptonshire spinners got to work on their middle order with Cronie, Russell and Zaib all claiming victims.

The Gloucestershire tail survived thirteen overs after lunch but soon succumbed to the accurate leg-spin of Alex Russell who ended with four wickets. Another excellent spell from the young spinner.

In the growing gloom Gloucestershire, following on, limped along to 51-2 when the umpires had no option but to bring the players off for bad light at 16.43. Young pace bowler, George Weldon, on debut, impressed and bowled a terrific hostile spell up hill, claiming the prized scalp of Tom Lace for his first ever Northamptonshire wicket. Walking off his figures were 9-4-15-1 leaving Northamptonshire in a strong position going into day four.