STROUD made the most of a break in the weather to romp in by nine wickets at home to Langford on a day when the vast majority of teams across the WEPL region were frustrated by rain.
The Oxfordshire visitors lost the toss in this Gloucestershire division clash, and struggled to total 59 in 24 overs against the combined threats of captain Angus Gegg (3-15 from eight), Lewis Culver (3-17 from seven) and Ninad Kadam (3-19 from five).
Stroud then wasted no time in knocking off the required runs, Kadam’s unbeaten 38 off 23 ensuring the points were safely in the bank in less than ten overs.
Victory moved Stroud up to third in a division where no other results were possible.
Indeed, it was the same story just about everywhere else on an ‘on-off-check the rain regulations’ type of day.
The Premier One clash between Thornbury and Taunton St Andrews was typical of many cricketers’ experience.
After a delayed start, promoted Thornbury raced to a useful total of 302-8 from 40 thanks mainly to Gloucestershire’s Chris Dent who thumped 149 off just 107 (17 fours, seven sixes).
In reply, Saints were on the back foot at 98-4 from 18 when play finally had to be abandoned.
It was a similar story at the Victoria Ground where Tommy Boorman (87) and Dan Holland (63) shared an opening stand of 124 for Dumbleton away to Cheltenham in Premier Two Glos/Wilts.
But after tea, Cheltenham’s innings lasted less than four overs before the rain returned for the final time.
There was one result in Bristol & North Somerset, Brislington completing a 53-run home derby triumph over Knowle.
The visitors won the toss and had no hesitation in fielding.
But Bris were given a terrific start by openers Will Ollis (77) and Milo Ayres (56 off 35) while 32 from Francisco Couana helped the home side eventually reach 247-8 off 42.
Skipper Oli Haynes (3-40 from eight) was the pick of the attack for Knowle who, after another weather-induced break in play, were set a reduced target of 155 from 21.2 overs.
Bris then struck regularly with the ball as Knowle finished well short despite Jack Weston’s unbeaten 33, Josh Whitemore claiming 2-16 from five.
ADAM Ireland claimed 3-16 from six and followed up with an unbeaten 49 as King’s Stanley 2nds made it six from six with a nine-wicket home triumph over Randwick in Division Eight D of the Gloucestershire League.
The visitors were rumbled for 92 with Andy Malkin (3-18) and Ed Nash (2-21) also making their mark before Ireland and opener Matt Bamford (33 not) made light work of the chase, completing the win in less than 12 overs.
Also boasting a 100 per cent record in this division after six rounds are Whitminster 2nds courtesy of a nine-wicket success away to Eastington.
Martin Mcgill’s fine spell of 5-13 helped dismiss the home club for 114 ahead of Pars Ghadiali taking charge of the chase with an unbeaten 74.
Frampton-on-Severn 2nds were eight-wicket victors in a weather affected clash at Rockhampton 4ths, Iain Murray top scoring with an unbeaten 51.
And Frocester 4ths, chasing a rain-revised target of 111 at Upton St Leonards 2nds, got over the line by six wickets.
There were three results in Division One, including a four-wicket triumph at Rockhampton that moved Cheltenham 2nds up to second place.
Hassam Dahar’s spell of 4-29 from nine helped restrict the Rams to a 45-over total of 171-9 ahead of Thiwanka Kekulawala smashing an unbeaten 48 off just 22 as Cheltenham closed out their chase towards a rain-reduced target.
In Division Three, Frampton-on-Severn were bowled out for 160 at home to Fairford who completed a nine-wicket win in another weather-affected chase, opener Matt Dyson cleaning up with a patient unbeaten 46. And Tom Devries’ fine spell of 4-29 from eight paved the way for Newent to trump Dymock by four wickets.
Three wickets apiece for Ben Markwick and Athul Kannoth helped dismiss Cranham for 140 ahead of Charlton Kings 2nds racing to a ten-wicket win in Division Four, Chris Burrow (70) and Chris Downes (61) getting the job done in less than 15 overs.
And in Division Five, Paul Frape (3-13) and opener Ollie Craney (50 not) shone as King’s Stanley completed an eight-wicket win at Minchinhampton.
The innings of the day came in Division Nine East with Ash Collard smashing 189 for Oldlands 2nds who were dismissed for 331 away to Frampton-on-Severn 3rds.
But the weather had the last word here, as in so many other games, with play being abandoned after Frampton had reached 35 without loss after nine overs.
