By Eric Woodmason

FROCESTER managed to stave off Premier One relegation to end the season in third.

A four-match unbeaten run laid the foundations for a survival that was in the balance right up to the final day.

At the beginning of play, any one of seven teams could have been relegated, but ultimately, Lechlade, well beaten by Bristol, joined Corsham in the relegation zone.

Frocester escaped the drop with a 98 run victory at Bedminster.

“To finish third is a very good achievement, especially after the start to the season we had,” said captain Nick Trainor. “A lot of credit must go to the players for how hard they’ve worked in training and competing so well, right through to the end of the season.”

Earlier, Frocester were inserted on a low, slow wicket at Bedminster and were soon in trouble at 26-2 with Qureshi and Martin back in the pavilion.

However, Louis Gegg and Fin Dixon featured in an excellent 108 run partnership, which proved to be the foundation of the Frocester victory. Gegg fell for 47 from 69 deliveries and included seven fours and a six. Dixon was joined by Trainor in a 42 run partnership that took the total to 186-4, when Dixon was stumped for 77, with nine fours and two sixes. Trainor was dismissed for 31, but nursed the tail through to a final total of 226-9 from 50 overs.

Wimma Perera was in fine form with the ball, taking all three wickets as Bedminster were reduced to 31-3.

Once again, Kamuni, with a fine innings of 56, was a thorn in Frocester’s side, but he fell to a fine catch by Perera off Ashley Davis, victory was in sight. Tom Drake picked up 4-45, and with Davis finishing with two for six, Bedminster were bowled out for 128.