Yorkshire Carnegie v Gloucestershire Gladiators: Gale's men out for revenge against rivals Gladiators

The White Rose county lead the way in Group B with seven wins from eight outings, the solitary loss having come late last month against Gloucestershire.

Today offers Yorkshire a golden chance to avenge that 65-run defeat at Cheltenham when the Gladiators travel to Headingley Carnegie for a day-night meeting.

More importantly in terms of reaching the last four of the 40-over competition, the game pits first against second with the result likely to have a huge say in who prevails in Group B.

Yorkshire's advantage over Gloucestershire is two points but Andrew Gale's men have played a game more, while Essex complete the trio chasing top spot a further point behind in third place.

With only the top county in each group guaranteed a place in the semi-finals alongside the best second-placed side, it points to an enthralling final few weeks of CB 40 action.

After today's meeting with Gloucestershire, Yorkshire face Middlesex Panthers at Scarborough on Sunday, August 22 and director of professional cricket Moxon is in no doubt as to the potential significance of both games.

He said: "It is a massive game for us both. The group looks like being between ourselves, Gloucestershire and Essex as to who finishes top.

"We are top but both Gloucestershire and Essex have a game in hand so we cannot afford any slip-ups.

"It is very tight, which is something I am not too surprised at. With only one side guaranteed to qualify for the semi-finals, it was always going to be very competitive.

"The bare fact is if we beat Gloucestershire then we are four points clear, but if we lose then they draw level with us and have an extra game to play as well.

"I think a lot depends on our next two games. If we win both of them, I would say we would have one foot in the semi-finals. That is how I read the current situation."

Yorkshire were well beaten when the two sides met at Cheltenham on July 29 despite winning the toss and inviting their hosts to bat. The tone for a hugely disappointing day was set when Tino Best conceded 17 runs in his first over.

Gloucestershire went on to smash 25 fours and eight sixes en route to an imposing 294-6, a target Carnegie never looked like chasing after being reduced to 39-4 inside six overs.

It was a chastening experience, though one the White Rose county have since responded to well by claiming back-to-back wins over the Netherlands and Derbyshire to retain top spot.

Moxon said: "We had a bad first 15 overs (at Cheltenham) when we didn't bowl or field very well. It allowed Gloucestershire to get off to a good start.

"It showed just what a good side can do if you allow them a good start as we were never really in it after those first 15 overs.

"Gloucestershire showed again last Sunday what a dangerous side they are by successfully chasing a target of 300 (against Middlesex) to win."

After today's game, which is due to start at 4.40pm, Gloucestershire are next in 40-over action on Monday, August 23 when Essex are the visitors.

Essex complete the trio of Group B counties chasing a place in the semi-finals after bouncing back in impressive fashion from a 10-wicket mauling by Yorkshire in April.

Having restricted the hosts to 232-9, Carnegie romped to victory on April 25 thanks to centuries by Gale and Jacques Rudolph.

Since then, however, Essex have won five games with the trip to Lord's to face Middlesex on May 2 being abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Moxon, whose side round off their group stage campaign against Essex at Headingley on September 4, said: "It was a fantastic performance by us down there but Essex have been a very good one-day team for quite some time and I always thought they would be challenging."

Yorkshire squad: AW Gale, JA Rudolph, A Lyth, JM Bairstow, A McGrath, GL Brophy, TT Bresnan, A Shahzad, AU Rashid, RM Pyrah, SA Patterson, DJ Wainwright, TL Best.

GROUP B RUN-IN

Yorkshire Carnegie

Aug 11 Gloucestershire (H)

Aug 22 Middlesex (H)

Aug 31 Northamptonshire (a)

Sept 4 Essex (H)

Gloucestershire Gladiators

Aug 11 Yorkshire (a)

Aug 23 Essex (H)

Aug 26 Netherlands (a)

Aug 30 Netherlands (H)

Sept 4 Northamptonshire (a)

Essex Eagles

Aug 22 Derbyshire (H)

Aug 23 Gloucestershire (a)

Aug 29 Netherlands (H)

Sept 2 Middlesex (H)

Sept 4 Yorkshire (a)

How they stand

P W L T NR Pts

Yorkshire 8 7 1 0 0 14

Gloucs 7 6 1 0 0 12

Essex 7 5 1 0 1 11

Middlesex 8 2 4 0 2 6

Derbyshire 8 2 6 0 0 4

Northants 8 2 6 0 0 4

Holland 8 1 6 0 1 3