Narrow victory Bowlers to the rescue again in one-run thriller
CHELTENHAM overcame Clevedon by the smallest of margins as the bowlers came to the rescue for the second week running in a last over thriller at the Victoria Ground.
The win saw Cheltenham register a hat-trick of victories for the first time this season.
After winning the toss under cloudy skies and with rain forecast throughout the day, Cheltenham elected to bat first but were soon left to rue the decision as Dan Williams (5-30) blew the top order away as Cheltenham limped to 45-6.
Captain Nick Evans (52) stood firm throughout the opening burst as he and Nathan Hooker (30) rebuilt the innings but when both batsman were dismissed the hosts were soon bowled out for 124.
With the game being reduced to 40 overs a side, Cheltenham knew they would have to bowl Clevedon out to snatch another win from an unlikely position, a trait they have been accustomed to this season.
George Pritchard (3-23) gave his team the perfect start with his three early wickets putting the hosts on the front foot and when Sam Didcote (2-26) claimed two more, Cheltenham were in control restricting the visitors to 57-5.
A sixth wicket stand of 50 from skipper Jacob Lintott (29) and Will Carpenter (20) took the score to 107-6 and with only 18 runs required for the win Clevedon were in control.
But two more quick wickets feel leaving Clevedon 111-8 but William Thirkell (9) came in and smashed a huge six before gifting away his wicket leaving the visitors needing two runs from the final over.
Clevedon’s earlier hero Williams was
left the man on strike and he was adjudged to have been caught down the leg side to Michael Kelly, thus sparking jubilant celebrations.
Stroud season’s looks set to end in relegation after defeat to league leaders Thornbury left the club bottom and 50 points adrift of fellow strugglers Dumbleton whose game with Burbage was abandoned.
Stroud would need to see a complete turnaround in results after only recording one win from 13 matches however gave Thornbury a good run for their win after fifties for Luke (62) and Dan Davies (60) saw the visitors set 246.
Despite a resilient 90 from Stroud’s Keegan Petersen and 48 from Chris Job, Stroud fell 19 runs short as Danny Slade (4-54) picked up wickets at crucial times.
Tewkesbury picked up a much needed win in seven attempts as they live to fight another day in WEPL Gloucestershire.
Will New (3-20) and Adam Brookes (3-22) got the visitors off to a flying start against Painswick as David Boon (41) was the only batsman to offer any resistance en-route to being bowled out for 100.
Tewkesbury made tough work of the chase despite getting off a solid start, Painswick’s Jack Hobbis
(5-17) tore through the visitors middle order but captain Tom Allcoat (28*) saw his side over the line.
Hatherley & Reddings remain the only unbeaten side in the WEPL divisions as they opened up a 65
point advantage and effectively wrapped up the title after Bourton Vale’s match with Corse & Staunton was abandoned.
Half centuries for Nipuma Gamage (65) and Thomas Wilson (63*) saw Reddings post 265-7, Tom
Wilshaw (4-61) the pick for home side Gloucester.
The home side threatened in the chase putting on 66 for the first wicket then looking well set at 154-3 however Max Kelly (4-37) and Andre Soma (3-29) tore through the rest of the order as Gloucester slipped to 202 all out.
Cheltenham Civil Service got back in the mix with only 25 points separating third and ninth placed Frocester II.
Watchful knocks from Jordan Rouse (65) and George Leadbetter (56) guided Service to 180-8 from their 50 which proved a winning score after Richard Robinson (7-29) ripped apart the Cirencester order as they were dismantled from 74-3 to 122 all out.
Rockhampton got their season back to winning ways after recording a seven-wicket victory over Frocester II.