LONDON, England (CMC) — A defiant top score of 41 from Barbadian Nico Reifer helped Surrey overcome a stiff challenge and set Gloucestershire 277 to win their contest in the English County Second XI Championship on Thursday.

Reifer struck seven fours from 66 balls in 98 minutes at the crease before Surrey were bowled out for 129 in their second innings on a hard-fought third day of their match at Bristol.

Off-spinner Amar Virdi followed up with three for 17 from 10 overs, and Gloucestershire stumbled to 137 for seven in their second innings at the close.

Reifer batted under pressure with the visitors three for three, but he put on 59 for the fourth wicket with Academy batsman Stuart van der Merwe to bring some respectability to the Surrey total.

They were dismissed before Surrey reached 100, with van der Merwe run out for 26 in the first over of the afternoon session, and when Reifer was lbw to Ed Middleton, the visitors were 98 for six.

Surrey lost their last four wickets for 31 in the span of 51 balls.

Gloucestershire laboured to 58 for three before newcomer Max Dunne and opener Joe Phillips nurtured a partnership of 64 for the fourth wicket.

Virdi pinned Phillips lbw for a tidy 54, and this triggered a slide in which four wickets fell for 12 in the space of 35 balls to give Surrey the edge.

Earlier, a 26-run, last wicket stand between Middleton, not out on 40, and Luke Charlesworth enabled the hosts to reach 207 in reply to the Surrey first innings total of 354.

Dan Moriaty grabbed the last two wickets to end with three for 48 from 18.2 overs.