MINCHINHAMPTON 1st XI were outplayed in all departments when they took on Apperley at home on Saturday.

Batting first Minch got off to a bad start as Alex Waring and Jon Ablett were soon dismissed.

Pete Raphael dug in for 19 but when he, Dave Gordon and Alan Venn were dismissed Minch were languishing on 98 for five.

Benoy Ittyavirah (42) and skipper Jaime Waring (29) dug in adding 40 for the sixth wicket but a final total of 164 was around 50 below par on a good track In reply Minch made an early breakthrough when the returning Rhys Hoy trapped skipper Steinham LBW.

However, Minch could not make another breakthrough for quite some time as opener Best amassed an unbeaten 75.

Alan Venn bowled an impeccable nine overs for just 14 runs and was unfortunate to take no wickets.

Hoy returned and picked up another wicket as did Ben Pitman but all too late as Apperley cruised to the win with 10 overs to spare.

Minch will travel to Haresfield Gladiators this Saturday in an effort to regain top spot.

A STRENGTHENED and much improved Minchinhampton 2nd XI visited Stroud.

Batting first Minch amassed a significant total of 240-4, with the Auster brothers Howard (70) and Henry (69 not out) the main contributors.

In reply tight bowling from Skipper Pete Wallis, Sam Wear and the miserly left arm of John Turton prevented Stroud from getting close to their target.

Wear was the main destroyer as he ripped through the Stroud tail to end with six wickets (all bowled) for just 14 runs, as the 2nd XI strolled to a 100 run victory. Minch host Oldlands on Saturday.