By Andrew Marson
New Frocester signing Devlin Webb made an eye-catching debut as the Australian pace ace bagged four wickets as his new side got their Premier Two league season off to a winning start against local rivals Cheltenham.
Earlier, Cheltenham won the toss and on what looked like a belter of an early-season track at Pounds Close.
Webb, was keen to show his fast bowling talents and the Australian finished with a very impressive haul of four wickets from 10 overs, giving away just 29 runs.
Cheltenham crumbled to 85 for six before Harrish Kannan made an unbeaten 100 off 107 balls. All-rounder Will Naish wrapped up the tail and the visitors were all out for 232 with 4 balls of their allocated 50 overs left.
In reply, Frocester lost an early wicket with Johnny Griffiths LBW to Luke Sellers for five.
Naish batted very well to make 56 off 66 balls and was out with the score on 96. Captain Uzi Qureshi and Dan Whincup then batted serenely to take Frocester to the fairly comfortable position of 187 for five.
A late flurry of wickets caused a mild panic but fittingly with Devlin at the crease, Will Helmke stroked a sumptuous cover driven four to hit the winning runs with 10 balls to spare.
Frocester not only garnered 22 points for the win but also gain a further bonus point under the umpiring initiative with both John Evans and Eric Woodmason standing in the leagues as independent umpires.
