WEPL
TEWKESBURY moved another step closer towards the title and promotion by closing out an eight-run victory away to Bourton Vale in WEPL’s Gloucestershire Division.
Opener Josh Barnes (64) and Randeera Ranasingha (53 not) lifted the visitors to a 50-over total of 221-7 with a rain break leading to Vale being set an adjusted target of 210 from 44.
And they came close to being only the second side to inflict a league defeat on Tewkesbury thanks to the efforts of opener Ollie Whiteley (78) and captain Darrel Williams (40) before Ranasingha followed up with 3-43 from six.
Next up is a home date on Saturday against closest rivals Gloucester who dispatched Frocester 2nds in a rain-hit clash by seven wickets, Tom Morris (4-48) and Craig Collinson (3-15 from nine) leading the charge.
Chipping Sodbury raced to a nine-wicket home win against Charlton Kings thanks to openers Rohan Wijeratne (85 not) and Tom Laver (55) while Langford squeezed out a one-wicket home success over Corse & Staunton.
Skipper Tim Dannatt’s 102 from just 63 (14 fours, three sixes) lifted Corse to 232 all out ahead of Liam Court (70) and Tom Stevens (65 not) getting the job done for Langford.
Stroud, meanwhile, were seven-wicket victors away to bottom side Rockhampton, brothers Callum and Angus Gegg taking three wickets apiece.
In Premier One, Bishopston boosted their hopes of staying up with a seven wicket home triumph over Burbage & Easton Royal, Parik Shetty unbeaten on 65.
Bottom side Frocester slipped up by five wickets at home to Potterne while Bristol were washed out at Bath.
Only one result was possible in Premier Two Bristol/Somerset and it saw leaders Downend extend their advantage courtesy of a seven-wicket home success against lowly Taunton Deane.
Matt Jackson bagged four wickets before Omar Randhawa (45) followed by a strong unbroken stand between Jordan Garrett (39) and Olly Sharp (37) got their side over the line.
Thornbury, the runaway leaders of Premier Two Glos/Wilts, were seven wicket winners at Royal Wootton Bassett, Anir Sanat (5-28) and Jack Worgan (3-24) paving the way while second-placed Dumbleton overcame Avebury by seven wickets.
It was a day of surprises in Bristol & North Somerset where promotion rivals Knowle and OB Westbury both lost.
Leaders Knowle slipped up by eight wickets at home to Bradley Stoke for whom opener Shahzad Ahmad (68) and Alfie Bradley (40 not) played key roles.
And second-placed OB Westbury went down by 31 runs at home to Bristol West Indian Phoenix, former captain Jack Baber cracking 49 while there were two wickets apiece for Ishtiaq Ishaq and Mahin Omar.
Bedminster 2nds made it four from their last five outings with a 44-run home triumph over Twyford House, Bailey Peacock top scoring on 89.
And Brislington were six-wicket winners away to bottom side Stapleton, opener Will Ollis unbeaten on 82 from 88.
GCF GCCL
GREAT Rissington ended a run of nine games without a win by holding on for a much needed five-run home success over Westbury-on-Severn in Division One of the AMS Gloucestershire County League.
Leo Agacy (75 not) and opener Sam Buckfield (51) powered their side to a 45-over total of 253-5 after losing the toss.
And Westbury, in reply, took the match down to the final delivery before being bowled out just short, Devin Rogers top scoring on 83.
Rissington remain bottom of the table but are now only six points behind Cirencester, who went down by four wickets at home to Lydney, and trail Westbury by 23.
At the other end of the table, Anthony James continued his memorable season with 124 for leaders Aston Ingham who eased past Chipping Campden by 180 runs.
The all-rounder’s third league century of the summer came off 138 balls and featured 19 fours and a six.
In Division Two, opener Mohammed Bokhari compiled an unbeaten 101 from 133 (12 fours) for second-placed Cheltenham 2nds who romped past lowly Rockhampton 2nds by 68 runs.
Leaders Tetbury were 73-run victors in a rain-affected clash at Shurdington, Tom Wand top scoring on 70 and taking 2-27.
Hatherley & Reddings 2nds moved up a place to second in Division Three, edging Gloucester AIW by four wickets thanks to Ed Bressington’s unbeaten 88 off 64 after Uzair Salehbhai had earlier dug in for 82 from 124.
Ullenwood Bharat, who started the day in the runners-up slot, suffered a 35-run home reverse against Chipping Sodbury 2nds for whom Adam Febry hit 69.
There was a tie in Division Four, Charlton Kings 2nds and Frocester 3rds finishing locked together.
And in Division Five, Cheltenham 3rd made the most of beating the weather to move up to second with a six-wicket home success against Parkend.
Dan James’ unbeaten 45 was the highlight of the visitors’ all out total of 185 before opener Nirvana Jain (61) and Rob Cooper (52 not) steered Cheltenham to the points.
Langford 2nds are the new leaders of Division Six following a seven-wicket triumph away to Birdlip & Brimpsfield, Ali Main capturing 3-9 from seven, while Arcadian Nine Elms held their nerve for a one-wicket home home over Oldlands to go second, both taking advantage of leaders King’s Stanley having to abandon their home date against Winchcombe.
Two results were possible in Division Seven, Tetbury 2nds going top courtesy of a 10-wicket home hammering of Oakridge, and Painswick 2nds were three-wicket victors away to Hatherley & Reddings 3rds.