CHELTENHAM showed tons of character to complete a nerve-tingling 12-run home win over high-flying Royal Wootton Bassett that could have a significant impact on the promotion race in WEPL Premier Two Glos/Wilts.
Bassett began the day only seven points behind leaders Dumbleton but ended it 21 back after Cheltenham closed out their third win in a row to remain fourth.
George Pritchard (35) and captain Josh Breed (34) top scored in the home side’s total of 143 after winning the toss, and it proved to be out of reach for the visitors as Liam Walker (4-20) and James Boyle (4-22) both struck with Bassett folding from 118-6 to 131 all out.
Dumbleton, meanwhile, coasted in by nine wickets at home to Painswick who were rushed out for 117 by Ross Martin (5-35) while Tewkesbury emerged 109-run home victors against Hatherley & Reddings, Wade Ridsdale capturing 4-25.
In Premier One, Frocester folded to a seven-wicket home setback against Bristol for whom skipper Louie Shaw claimed 3-27 while Thornbury, second at the start of the day, lost ground with a 200-run pounding away to leaders Bridgwater.
It was a tough day also for Downend as Bedminster piled up 382-9 at the WG Grace Memorial Ground ahead of wrapping up a 197-run victory.
Bishopston are off the bottom of Premier Two Bristol/Somerset after trumping fellow strugglers Keynsham by seven wickets, Dan McCudden shining with a return of 4-32 while Golden Hill suffered a third successive defeat with a seven-wicket loss at leaders Midsomer Norton.
Bourton Vale wrapped up the quickest win of the day, skittling Gloucester for 69 before romping to the points in less than 11 overs for a ten wicket triumph in the Gloucestershire division.
Leaders Chipping Sodbury emerged seven wicket victors at neighbours Hawkesbury Upton, Jiwanjot Singh unbeaten on 91, while Charlton Kings made it four in a row with a 373-run hammering of bottom side Thornbury 2nds.
Benny Ellis smashed 151 off 107 (24 fours, three sixes) with David Boon (98) and captain Gavin Williams (83) also making hay in an imposing total of 444-4.
Thornbury were then rushed out for only 71 with New Zealander Matt Gibson taking 7-39.
Stroud were five-wicket winners away to Aston Ingham, brothers Angus and Ewan Gegg bagging four wickets apiece, and Frocester 2nds saw off Langford by four wickets, Freddie Collinson top scoring on 57.
Andrew Rasemene grabbed 6-39 from ten as Knowle trumped Bradley Stoke & Almondsbury by 74 runs to remain third in Bristol & North Somerset.
Joint leaders Bristol West Indian Phoenix and Twyford House both won again.
BWIP were six-wicket victors at Bristol Pakistanis for whom opener Ghulam Shabbir hit 95 ahead of James Pearson compiling 58 and opener Raj Chudasama 37 as the spoils were secured with almost five overs in hand.
And Twyford overcame Frenchay by 121 runs, opener Charlie Bevan hitting 122 off 131 (19 fours) before Chris Bolton (4-33 from ten) and Mark Fowler (3-23) made inroads.
Pak Bristolians ended a run of three successive defeats with a 24-run home win against Bristol 2nds, Abdur-Rehman Tabraiz top scoring on 91 and brother Abdullah capturing 3-33 from ten.
Bedminster 2nds, meanwhile, moved off the foot of the table with a two-wicket home success against Brislington, Harry Drissell and Alex Bindloss claiming three wickets apiece.
