Crushing defeat
Akram’s ton puts skids under Cheltenham
CHELTENHAM were humbled by nine wickets as a rapid century from Basil Akram saw Potterne climb to the summit of the West of England Premier One table.
Chasing 202 for victory, Akram (125 from 63 balls) made light work of the total as the hosts raced to their target inside 19 overs.
After losing the toss, Cheltenham were asked to bat first and made a strong start with Kieran Smith (40) and Alex Millard (36) taking the score past 50 for the opening wicket.
A middle order wobble saw the visitors slip to 135-6 and they never recovered as Sahan Wijerathne (3-28) quickly moped up the tail.
With the target just over 200, Akram got stuck in from the off as he brought up his 50 from 35 balls and continued the brutal onslaught to bring up his century 18 balls later.
He was eventually dismissed for an enterprising 125, a knock which included 12 fours and 10 sixes, Jake Goodwin’s 59* from 52 going almost going unnoticed.
Chippenham remain in the driving seat in Premier Two Glos/wilts as they crushed Dumbleton by 189 runs.
Chris Munden’s 101 was the backbone of the host’s innings as Dumbleton couldn’t halt the scoring as they were set 300 for victory.
Ralph Hardwick then took three top order wickets nine runs as the visitors slumped to 46-5, Dumbleton couldn’t recover as they slumped to 110 all out.
Hatherley & Reddings unbeaten season went into its 10th week as they built a 27 point lead at the top of WEPL Glos.
Tom Hage (94*) was once again the runs as he was well supported by Callum Stewart (58) in a stand of 132 against Bourton Vale.
Hatherley’s 275-5 proved far to stern a task for Vale who fell 121 runs short of their target, Max Kelly (4-29) sending his team on their way against the second placed team.
Tewkesbury face a fight to stay in WEPL cricket after they beaten by fellow strugglers Cheltenham Civil Service.
It seemed promising for the hosts as Tom Allcoat (4-45) has helped restrict Service to 78-7 however an unbeaten 50 from William Fell propelled the score to 168 all out.
Michael Teague (6-15) then tore through the Tewkesbury line up as they were bowled out for 87 and 23 points from safety.
Corse & Staunton were seven wicket victors over Gloucester, chasing 213, Matthew Cox (91) took Staunton to the brink as they got over the line with some 14 overs to spare.
Painswick were on the end of a 151run mauling by Rockhampton. Triston Jungbauer’s 85 the stand out in the hosts 248.
Mark Beale then dismantled the visitors batting order as he picked up 5-12 in four overs.
An unbeaten 83 from Jamie Jamieson-black saw Cirencester reel off a third straight victory as they beat Frocester II by three wickets.
» PLAYERS from 11 different clubs in four divisions have been chosen to represent the Greene King IPA Gloucestershire County League in an inaugural challenge match against their Bristol & District counterparts on July 21.
County League: Mike Toolis (Lydney), Jay Westwood (Hawkesbury Upton), Mark Burton (Poulton), Sam Nichols (Chipping Campden), Chris Williams (Sheepscombe), Josh Loade (Aston Ingham), Hamza Shahzad (Gloucester AIW Sports), Jamie Rendell (Chipping Sodbury), James Tunnicliffe (Thornbury), Tom Hayward (Apperley), George Dolling (Cam).