Title race is in the balance as Apperley lose

THE race for the Greene King IPA Gloucestershire County League championship tightened as leaders Apperley suffered a home defeat and had their lead over Thornbury II cut to three points.

Mike Strong (98) and Matt Cayless (82) shared an unbroken stand of 187 as Kingsholm made the most of being ask to bat at Apperley, reaching 224-3 which proved to be well out of reach, Cayless and Luke Bond finishing with three wickets apiece.

Thornbury made the most of this slip up with a 152-run defeat of Redmarley, openers Vishal Mamgai (95) and Praneel Choughle (53) finding form along with Harry Wormwell (56) before skipper James Tunnicliffe (3-19) and Alex Riggs (3-18) struck with the ball.

Third-placed Lydney lost ground with a five-wicket setback against Cheltenham II for whom Ben Pegler (67) and Aled Howell (67 not) shone.

Sourish Mukherjee (74) top scored for Chipping Sodbury who reined in Charlton Kings by 27 runs, and Liam Smith’s 5-8 from nine saw Poulton to a 216-run pounding of bottom side Gloucester AIW Sports.

Division Two leaders Cam crushed Ullenwood Bharat by 131 runs while second-placed Westbury-on-severn were 11-run victors over Hatherley & Reddings II, skipper Greg Artus top scoring on 63.

Oldlands and Cinderford St John tied, both sides reaching 228-8. Ed Ruck (48) top scored for Saints with Nick Grove (74) and Bobby Woolams (42 not) leading the Oldlands reply.

One of the innings of the day came at Aston Ingham where opener Jon Waspe’s 153 scripted a four-wicket triumph over Chipping Campden.

Division Three leaders Langford cruised in by ten wickets at Cranham, chasing 150, and nearest rivals Hawkesbury Upton saw off Frocester III by nine wickets after pursuing a target of 241.

Frampton-on-severn were seven-wicket victors in a rain-hit clash at Great Rissington while Tetbury edged Rockhampton II by a wicket and Woodpeckers overcame Chipping Sodbury II by six wickets.

In Division Four, pacesetters Bourton Vale won by four wickets at Dymock while Andy Downes (61) helped see Birdlip & Brimpsfield to a six-wicket success over Lydney II.

Half centuries from Will Bowers and Lee Clark saw Fairford to a fivewicket success at Cheltenham Civil Service, Jack Cowles (104) and Karl Mortimer (5-7) helped Newent to a 99-run defeat of Stone and Dumbleton II clinched a seven-wicket win away to their Tewkesbury counterparts.

Corse & Staunton II leapfrogged Sheepscombe to go second in Division Five with a five-wicket win over their rivals, Jack Hutchings (60) and Alex Morgan (50) the batting heroes.

Leaders Cheltenham III won by four wickets at Minchinhampton, James Cotterill contributing an unbeaten 53, and Jake Holmes claimed 5-20 for Cirencester II who trumped Charlton Kings II by 115 runs.

Witcombe were three-wicket winners at Haresfield Gladiators while Gloucester II overpowered King’s Stanley by 60 runs.

Tom Horrell top scored on 103 for Stroud II who eased in by 66 runs at Chedworth in Division Six, and Ivor Griffiths went one better with 104 as Churchdown saw off Upton St Leonards by 116 runs.

Opener Scott Meredith hit 118 for Poulton II who held on for a threerun victory in Division Seven at Down Hatherley who whom Aaron Shelley responded with 103.

Captain Robin Smith’s 105 was the highlight of Hatherley & Reddings III’S 105-run home defeat of Ruardean Hill who were replaced at the top by Whitminster for whom Lee Medcroft captured 4-12 in an eight-wicket home triumph over Bourton Vale III.