PAINSWICK are though to the second stage of WEPL qualifying for a place in the ECB National Club Twenty20 – and now also have a chance to reach the first national round of the Voneus Village Cup.
A 16-run home victory over Cheltenham ensured that it is Painswick who qualified from the Group 11 triangular of WEPL’s tournament following the withdrawal of Gloucester.
Opener Jarren Bacher, the grandson of South African cricket legend Ali Bacher, crashed an unbeaten 85 from only 61 (six fours, four sixes) to help propel his side to a total of 157-4 before Cheltenham came up short.
There were two wickets apiece for Matt Conolly, Jack Hobbis and Bacher with Josh Breed (41) top scoring for Cheltenham.
A total of 36 clubs entered WEPL’s tournament which will eventually produce one qualifier for the national rounds.
Also through to the next stage, meanwhile, are Frocester and Stroud.
Frocester booked their place in emphatic style, overcoming hosts Hatherley & Reddings by eight wickets and then Tewkesbury by 48 runs.
And Stroud turned on the batting power with two eye-catching victories in their triangular at Charlton Kings.
Ollie Whiteley followed up a WEPL century the previous day with 104 off only 50 (12 fours, five sixes) to lift his side to a tremendous total of 235-5 and point the way to a 66-run defeat of Cirencester.
And Stroud then piled up 210-5 against the hosts, Callum Gegg cracking 80 from 43, before closing out a 40-run triumph.
Details of the next qualifying round will be announced shortly. Other sides already through include Bristol, Golden Hill and Congresbury.
Painswick, meanwhile, are preparing for the Gloucestershire final of the Voneus Village Cup on Sunday away to Marshfield.
At stake is a place in the last 32 of a famous competition which concludes with a final at Lord’s.
Holders Dumbleton continue their bid for back-to-back successes by hosting Astwood Bank on Sunday in the Worcestershire final.
Both finals start at 1pm.
