In a spin Breed’s five wickets set up superb comeback win

CHELTENHAM’S march up the Premier One table continued with a win over Bridgwater after a complete turnaround from 35-5 to complete a comprehensive victory.

They were in trouble in the early stages before captain Nick Evans hit a crucial 55 to steer his side to 176 all out.

He was ably supported by Luke Sellers (34*) and George Pritchard (27)

before Josh Breed then bagged a second five wicket haul in as many weeks as the hosts were bowled out for 94.

Sellers (2-24) then accounted for only wickets to fall to seam bowlers in the Cheltenham innings as Breed and Cheltenham’s array of spin bowlers took the next eight wickets.

The win sees Cheltenham move into a fifth place and well clear of the danger zone with six games to play.

Fifties for Scott Tremain (58) and Wade Ridsdale (50) eased the pressure on Dumbleton as they put a bit of daylight between themselves and second bottom Trowbridge.

Despite falling to 43-4, the Dumbleton duo recovered the innings to post 211. Aditya Rai (4-4) mopped up the tail as Biddestone crumbled to 89 all out.

Stroud fell 29 runs short of victory against Burbage and Easton Royal.

Mike Alley (4-38) helped restrict Burbage to 199 but Louis Gegg (73*) was left stranded as his side were bowled out for 170.

In WEPL Gloucestershire, Hatherley & Reddings opened up a 51 point gap on second placed Bourton Vale.

Tom Hage (62) continued his fine season as he and Callum Steward (61) took them to 228-8 against Cirencester.

Hage (3-18) then put the brakes on the host’s innings as Max Kelly swooped in to see of the tail as Cirencester fell 97 runs short.

Cheltenham Civil Service were thankful of a strong bowling display to defend 222 against Bourton Vale with captain George Leadbetter scoring a crucial 72.

Richard Robinson took three wickets as he was well backed up by Steve Bridge and William Fell as the hosts restricted their visitors to 188-8.

Corse & Staunton swept aside Rockhampton by eight wickets after bowling the visitors out for 54.

Brad Fulton took (4-14) and Mike Gatting (3-13) as Rockhampton crumbled and the hosts knocked off the target in 14 overs.

Tewkesbury look destined for relegation as they lost their fifth game on the bounce.

After setting Gloucester 155, Tewkesbury reduced the visitors to 44-3 before an unbeaten 82 from David Hemmings saw Gloucester ease over the line.

Painswick defended 167 against Frocester II, an unbeaten 55 from 111 balls from Reece Morris proving decisive as the visitors won by 13 runs.