Beeches stay in hunt for title with victory over leaders Oaksey

BARNSLEY Beeches kept themselves in the race for the Cain & Fuller CDCA Division One title with a comfortable win at league leaders Oaksey.

Batting first, Barnsley lost a couple of quick wickets as Andy Steward (3-18) bowled well.

Tom Dykes (42) and Andrew Walker (29) rebuilt the innings until both were removed by Dan Bye (2-40).

As Phil Head (3-39) made further inroads a useful knock from Josh Odom (37) pushed the final score along to a competitive 191-9 at tea.

In reply Oaksey got off to a good start through Tom Cook (52) and Sam Holdway (27) but the introduction of Ed Latter (9-3-10-4) transformed the game.

With Robert Denney (3-17) bowling well at the other end Oaksey lost their way and their innings petered out 35 runs short on 156-9.

South Cerney, who struggled in the first half of the season, are finding form at the right time as they won emphatically in the Cotswold Water Park derby against Ashton Keynes.

After electing to bat the first half of the match went well for visitors Ashton Keynes as George Ford (94*) fell short of a deserved century.

Good support from Jack Thomas (25) and Liam Hindmarch (25*) at the end pushed the visitor’s total along to 195-5 at the break.

For Cerney Craig O’keefe (3-33) bowled well with Phil James (2-45) chipping in at the other end.

South Cerney made light work of the run chase as Jay Russell (41) provided his usual belligerent contribution in an opening partnership of 75 in 15 overs with Brian Hughes.

James Bayliss (75*) then batted superbly in a partnership of 122 in 16 overs with Hughes (64*) who carried his bat as the total was reached at 197-1 with more than eight overs to spare.

Oakridge moved up the table with a comprehensive win at home to Fairford II.

The Oakridge total of 202-5 was built around a fine second-wicket partnership of 120 between Ed Bryant (68) and James Brierley (57).

Anthony Axel-berg (2-28) and Olly Taylor (2-43) were the pick of the visiting bowlers but struggling Fairford never really challenged this total as wickets fell regularly.

Only Simon Embleton-smith (22) and Tom Sealey (20) reached the 20s as Sam Grimstead (2-7), Chris Evans (2-15) and Ed Bryant (2-29) bowled the visitors out for only 130.

Bibury gave themselves a much needed boost by winning a low scoring nail-biter against Longborough & Sezincote.

The Bibury total of 136 all out in 31 overs was restricted by an excellent spell from Josh Newbould (5-33).

In reply Longborough found the going equally tough with Sachin Bandara (3-18) bowling a good spell.

However wickets continued to fall and Longborough were bowled out three runs short on 130.