Cricket Yorkshire big obstacle to Over-50s’ ECB Championship bid
GLOUCESTERSHIRE Over50s face a real battle if they are to match last summer’s achievements and reach the last four of the ECB Championship.
Jem Brooks’ side are preparing for a quarter-final on Sunday (1pm) at Frocester against Yorkshire, who have won 28 of their last 29 games en route to the 2017 and 2018 titles.
Their only blip in three years was to trip up last month by six runs in a group game against Lancashire, who last year knocked out Gloucestershire on fewer wickets lost.
Gloucestershire can again call on former county captain and England one-day international Mark Alleyne, who hit an unbeaten century in the last-16 victory over Cornwall. England Over-50 international Martyn Bowyer, of Shirehampton, comes into the side, while Kerry Lock, of Old Bristolians Westbury, will keep wicket. Gloucestershire: Andy Chidgey, Dave Millard, Mark Alleyne, Martyn Bowyer, Hugh Leeke, Bill Johnson, Jem Brooks (captain), Chris Trembath, Paul Baker, John Courtney, Kerry Lock.
Gloucestershire Over-50s captain Jem Brooks batting
BRISTOL host Frocester on Sunday (1.30pm) when a place in the last four of the Stuart Canvas Gloucestershire Cup will be at stake.
The winners will be away to holders Bishopston on August 18 when Knowle will host Cheltenham, nine-wicket conquerors last weekend of Stroud.
The final will be staged on September 8 at a neutral venue.
Hambrook are away on Sunday to Langford in the quarter-finals of the Stuart Canvas Gloucestershire Trophy with the winners travelling to Hawkesbury Upton. Frenchay will host the final on September 1.
THE final spot for Somerset’s Vitality Under-19 T20 finals day on August 18 will be settled tonight when North Perrott are home to Bridgwater.
Clevedon, Keynsham, Yeovil and Taunton Deane qualified automatically for the popular play-off day, which is jointly staged at Weston-super-Mare and Uphill Castle.
Taunton St Andrews are also through after beating Street in a play-off while Weston-super-Mare were given a walk-over when Hampset conceded and Hinton Charterhouse edged Uphill Castle by 25 runs.
FRENCHAY host the Bristol Youth League’s four championship play-offs on Sunday.
A hectic day of action gets underway at 10am with the Under-11 Ray Baker final in which Frenchay Heat or Thornbury Red will play Bedminster or Bristol YMCA B.
At 10.30am it’s the Under-15 Joe Roden Cup play-off between Bristol YMCA and Thornbury, with the Under-13 Les Hodge final between Pak Bristolians and Winterbourne Maroon at 2.30. The day concludes with the Under-17 Colin Mitchell final at 3pm between Bedminster and Bristol YMCA.