AVENING & CHERINGTON maintained their unbeaten record and increased their lead at the top of the SweetFuels CDCA Division One table with a comfortable win at third-placed Cricklade.

The visitors were asked to bat and posted a competitive 183 all out. The major contribution came from the in-form Stewart Hudd (67) with good support from Darren Pitcher (25). For Cricklade, Angelo Rigali (4-39) and Mike Mabbatt (3-23) bowled well.

After tea the home team started disastrously losing three wickets inside the first four overs. Darren Fisher (44) and Richard Berryman (25) led the recovery but Richard Harvey (3-18) and Jay Richings (2-42) ensured the away victory with eight overs left.

Match of the day was at Pinkney Park where hosts Sherston Magna and Barnsley Beeches shared the points in a fantastic tie.

The hosts won the toss and invited Barnsley to bat on a decent track. After 40 overs, with the visitors finishing on an excellent 234-9, Sherston may have been regretting the decision. For Barnsley, opener Andrew Walker (96*) carried his bat and held the innings together as others played their shots.

In reply Sherston were positive in chasing the stiff target. Richard Cartwright (109) hit a fine century and put his team in a winning position. However, with the scores level and three balls remaining the batsman’s shot was aerial, the fielder held the catch and the match finished in a tie.

Oakridge moved into fourth position in the table after an easy home win against depleted Oaksey. The hosts chose to bat and took advantage of the visitors' nine fielders by posting a match-winning 225-4. Mark Robbins (100) continued his good form and had good support from Iain Taylor (47) and Martin Smith (44).

In reply, Oaksey started well enough with Phil Biggs (26) top-scoring but lost wickets steadily and slumped to 109 all out in the 28th over. Richard Minchin (4-44) was the pick of the home bowlers.

At Stow-on-the-Wold the match against NATS was 10-a-side with the hosts posting a decent 162 all out off their 40 overs. Jack Robson (68) and Max Fisher (34) scored most runs and Rob Griffiths (3-38) and Phil Cross (3-33) bowled good spells for the visitors.

After the break NATS got off to a brisk start but lost quick wickets and at 51-4 looked in trouble. Enter Rob Griffiths who hit an aggressive 64 (ten fours and two sixes) and with the steadying influence of A Nuttall (31*) at the other end turned the match in favour of the visitors.