Perks returns season’s best figures to help H&R to 40-run victory

OLLIE Perks finished with 7-24 – the best bowling figures this season in the AMS Gloucestershire County League – to help Hatherley & Reddings II close out a 40-run victory at Woodpeckers in Division Three.

Opener James Burton’s patient 78 from 101 saw the visitors reach 187-8 off their 40 before Woodpeckers made an encouraging start to their reply to reach 92-1.

But that was the signal for Perks to put the brakes on the scoring rate and run through the batting line-up, sparking a collapse to 157 all out thanks to memorable career-best figures from eight overs.

Jason Huxstep was another bowler to impress, capturing 6-18, also from eight, as Frampton-on-severn saw off Tetbury by 93 runs to ensure a second-place finish and promotion.

Champions Fairford were threewicket victors away to Dumbleton II, Will Bowers top scoring on 70.

Chipping Sodbury clinched the Division One title despite a threerun defeat away to Cheltenham II, Arunn Samynathan shining with 4-29, while Cheltenham Civil Service are also heading back to WEPL thanks to an eight-wicket triumph at home to Thornbury II, Will Fell capturing 4-16.

Chipping Campden kept alive hopes of preserving their Division One status with an eye-catching 152-run victory away to high-flying Hawkesbury Upton, Tom Clarkson hitting 86 and Jack Groves taking 5-26.

Opener Tom Legge (67 not) guided Division Two champions Lydney to a four-wicket home success over Newent while Langford remain second following a ninewicket away thumping of Cinderford St John, Will Parsons taking centre stage with a return of 5-14 from six.

Runaway Division Four champions Cricklade defeated bottom side

Oldlands by 128 runs after Chris Nicholas (91) and Paul Paginton (82) shared an opening stand of 188.

Dymock consolidated second place with a four-wicket home win over Corse & Staunton II, while Craig Scully’s 135 paved the way for Chipping Sodbury 2nds to overcome Sheepscombe by 54 runs.

Whitminster boosted their hopes of staying up in Division Five with an 11-run home success over Lydney II, Joe Mcgoldrick unbeaten on 80.

And Ben Hopkins’ fourth century of the season put Division Six champions Quedgeley & Hardwicke on course for a 175-run crushing of struggling Stone. Hopkins was unbeaten on 158 off 116 (19 fours, four sixes) while fellow opener Jake Huggins hit 77.

Parkend secured the runners-up slot with an 88-run triumph away to third-placed Apperley II.

Arcadians Nine Elms remain favourites for the Division Seven title following a 20-run home win against Painswick II, Arvind Kumar Singh top scoring on 77 before falling to Nick Marment (5-37).

Down Hatherley kept the pressure on with a five-wicket trumping of Tormarton, Luke Brick bagging 3-17 from eight.