Ellis’ all-round efforts seal comfortable win

BENNY Ellis was in superb form with bat and ball for Charlton Kings who completed a 115-run home victory over Poulton in Division One of the Greene King IPA Gloucestershire County League.

The all-rounder began his day with an unbeaten 114 (14 fours, three sixes) and followed up with a return of 4-37 from nine in a comfortable win.

Jack O’connell finished with fabulous figures of 8-34 to pave the way for Lydney’s sevenwicket success at Redmarley.

Leaders Apperley had to work hard for a low-scoring threewicket victory at bottom side Gloucester AIW Sports, Jorgen Pettenburger turning the tide with an unbeaten 49.

Cheltenham II bossed Chipping Sodbury by six wickets, and high-flying Thornbury II edged out Kingsholm by 18 runs.

In Division Two, leaders Cam trumped local rivals Oldlands by six wickets, captain Ryan Malpass unbeaten on 57.

Nearest rivals Shurdington overcame Aston Ingham by four wickets and Westbury-on-severn remain in the promotion mix following a six-wicket home defeat of Ullenwood Bharat.

Wayne Rose’s unbeaten 83 saw Chipping Campden to a five-wicket home triumph over Hatherley & Reddings II and Mark Roberts (4-12) shone in Cinderford St John’s 73-run home victory over Woodmancote Saints.

The top two in Division Three both lost. Leaders Langford suffered a 54-run home reverse against Great Rissington, Mitchell Thomas (67) top scoring for the visitors. while Hawkesbury Upton went down by 55 runs at home to Woodpeckers.

Bottom side Chipping Sodbury II notched up win number two for the summer with a lastball one-wicket success over Cranham, while Frampton-on-severn edged Tetbury by seven runs and Rockhampton II were 45-run home victors against Frocester III.

Andy Phillips (92 not) and Jacob Collett (72) powered Division Four leaders Bourton Vale II to an eight-wicket victory at Cheltenham Civil Service II for whom Ben Gaskin hit 113.

Paul Engelbrecht’s spell of 5-35 was in vain as Dumbleton II succumbed by four runs at home to Newent, Fairford trumped Birdlip & Brimpsfield by seven wickets, Tewkesbury II sneaked in by one wicket away to Lydney II and Dymock overcame Stone by 56 runs.

In Division Five, leaders Cheltenham III slipped up by 19 runs at home to Haresfield Gladiators for whom Tim Holme thumped 72.

Mike Howell hit 72 and held six catches as Cirencester II overwhelmed King’s Stanley by 89 runs, and second-placed Sheepscombe had to battle for a one-wicket victory over Charlton Kings II.

Captain Rob Birch led from the front with 103 in Apperley II’ eight-wicket home win over their Gloucester AIW Sports counterparts in Division Six.

In Division Seven, leaders Whitminster suffered a surprise six-wicket reverse away to Poulton II for whom Calum Higginson (4-11) found a testing line and length.

The bowling performance of the day came at Bourton Vale III for whom John Nicholson captured 8-21 to set up a sevenwicket victory over Charfield.