Gloucestershire moved clear at the top of National Cricket League Division One with a comprehensive eight-wicket wicket victory over bottom club Yorkshire at Cheltenham.

Chasing a modest target of 184, the Gladiators' opening pair of Phil Weston and Kiwi Craig Spearman wasted little time in bringing up the century mark inside 20 overs.

James Averis had earlier taken 4-50 as Yorkshire were bowled out for 183 in 41.5 overs after winning the toss. Matthew Wood top-scored for the Phoenix with 38.

It was a dominant display from Gloucestershire, who now take a four-point lead into tomorrow's clash with second-placed Surrey at The Oval.

Yorkshire made a good start to their innings with Wood and Stephen Fleming putting on 62 in less than eight overs, before Fleming skied an attempted drive off Averis and fell to a good catch by Alex Gidman facing the sun at mid-on for 21.

But the visitors could not capitalise on the sound base as Gloucestershire typically turned the screw with some accurate bowling and excellent ground fielding.

Wood had looked in fine form, hitting six fours in his 43-ball innings, before getting a nick to an attempted pull off Averis and offering a straightforward catch to Jack Russell.

Michael Lumb played soundly for his 28 and Craig White was going well on 27 when becoming the first victim of two run-outs in the 29th over, bowled by Mike Smith.

White drove to mid-off and was well in when Mark Alleyne hit the stumps at the bowler's end. The ball rebounded, offering the chance of a second run, but the alert Smith grabbed it and his fast throw to Russell beat White by a yard.

Richard Blakey fell to more good fielding, this time by Shoaib Malik at square leg as he was sent back attempting a quick single and Gloucestershire's bowlers, with Alleyne (1-21) and Ball (2-26) offering tight support for Averis, never released their grip.

The total was well below par on the fast-scoring College Ground as Spearman and Weston soon proved.

Weston was dropped on 47 by Chris Silverwood from a skier and completed his half-century off the next ball, having hit 10 fours and faced 72 deliveries.

The only down side for Gloucestershire was an injury to Smith, who wrenched his back when fielding and had to go off. He could miss the Surrey game as a result.