THESE are halcyon days in Derbyshire. The first team have won through to the final of the NatWest Trophy and yesterday the second team qualified for the final of the AON Trophy, in which they will meet Northamptonshire on Sept 7.

The rules of this competition permit each side to include no more than three capped players, nor more than three over the age of 25. Yet every Derbyshire performer on view yesterday has represented the first team this season. As a comparison, only six of the Gloucestershire side have appeared at a higher level.

The Gloucestershire innings was built around Rob Cunliffe's 108. Indeed, the visitors were breezing along until Mark Coombes carelessly ran himself out in the 24th over.

But Ian Blackwell purveyed a tight spell of left-arm spin. Then Cunliffe was unhinged trying to hoist Glenn Roberts into the next parish.

Derbyshire's Steve Stubbings constructed a fluent 90 before charging at Bobby Dawson. Roberts then feasted upon some tasty fare from James Averis to guide Derbyshire home with 13 deliveries to spare.