Neck and neck in battle for promotion

FROCESTER and Goatacre are locked together on the same number of points with four rounds of games to go in the race for the one promotion place from WEPL Premier Two Glos/ Wilts.

Half centuries from skipper Will Naish, above, and Uzi Qureshi helped Frocester bank 20 points from a five-wicket home win over struggling Warminster while Goatacre earned 19 points as they saw off Cheltenham by three wickets.

The prize of a place in Premier One could be sorted on Saturday week when they meet at Frocester.

At the other end of the table, Stroud succumbed by 55 runs at Corsham despite Angus Gegg’s haul of 5-46 while Hatherley & Reddings lost out by two runs at Burbage & Easton Royal despite opener Lesego Senokwane’s 78.

Promoted Corse & Staunton continued their fine season with a 40-run home win against Marshfield, Brad Fulton and Callum King both taking three wickets.

Gloucestershire division leaders Painswick were 101-run home victors over Rockhampton, George Macduff top scoring on 81, while Dumbleton kept the pressure on with a 124-run triumph at Apperley as Tommy Boorman hit 105 and took 4-8.

It was tighter at Cirencester where Gloucester squeezed in by one wicket, Scott Montgomery’s dogged 48 from 83 proving crucial.

Bourton Vale slipped up by 53 runs at home to Frocester II while Benny Ellis top scored on 108 off 80 (11 fours, four sixes) for Charlton Kings who defeated Tewkesbury by 90 runs.