GLOUCESTERSHIRE's prospects of winning the Pro-40 League First Division title may be at an end, but skipper Jon Lewis insists there is still plenty to play for.

The Gladiators complete their campaign against Durham at the Riverside tomorrow (12.45) with second place still up for grabs.

Nottinghamshire and Sussex will contest the title in a winner-takes-all showdown at Trent Bridge, while current leaders Hampshire can only hope rain prevents a result in the east Midlands.

Relegated to the status of also-rans by results in midweek, Gloucestershire require a resounding victory over Durham if they are to snatch the runners-up spot.

"That's what we're aiming for," admitted Lewis, whose chances of lifting the trophy evaporated when Sussex defeated Middlesex beneath the Hove floodlights on Thursday.

"It's disappointing that we couldn't take it right to the last game, but we needed results to go our way and that didn't happen.

"But there's still a lot to play for and there's a chance we could still finish runners-up. My approach is simple; if we can't win it, then let's make sure we finish second."

Gloucestershire will delay naming their team pending a fitness check on seam bowler Ian Saxelby, who missed this week's Championship game against leicestershire with a sore back.

Out of contract and surplus to requirements in 2009, all-rounder Mark Hardinges and slow left armer Ian Fisher are expected to make farewell appearances at the Riverside.

Meanwhile, county chief executive Tom Richardson has justified the decision to axe the Gloucester Festival in terms of finance.

Gloucestershire have traditionally staged a four-day Championship fixture at the King's School since switching from Tuffley Park in the early 1990s. But the Festival has been dropped from next season's fixture list.

Richardson explained: "It's a straightforward case of economics. We simply don't make money from playing four-day cricket in Gloucester.

"Because sponsors prefer Twenty20 to Championship cricket, we find it difficult to attract the required level of support.

"Given the new domestic structure which is soon to come into place, we were also struggling to find an appropriate slot for Gloucester.

"Although we are committed to taking the show on the road and Archdeacon Meadow is a picturesque venue, it loses us money and that is a situation which cannot continue."

The Gloucester Festival has always lived in the shadow of it's more popular cousin at Cheltenham and few Bristol-based members will lament it's passing.

But Richardson is not prepared to jetison Gloucester altogether and he remains keen to stage a Twenty20 fixture at the King's School in 2010.

He said: "I believe such a game would prove attractive both to sponsors and spectators. It's something we want to do and we're looking into it."