FROCESTER cruised to a seven-wicket victory at Clevedon to move 22 points clear at the top of Premier One.

Earlier, Clevedon won the toss and elected to bat, making a solid start against Paul Muchall and Tom Furley, although Furley, beating the bat regularly, was unlucky not to take an early wicket.

First change, Richie Cave took the first wicket, with Nick Trainor holding a sharp chance at slip with the total on 53. Bachelor (85) and Crane (73) then produced a very effective 123 run partnership that was only broken by Trainor, entering the attack in the 38th over.

Even so, with the total at 176-2, Clevedon appeared set for a very large total, but, some accurate bowling and excellent ground fielding, caused the run rate to decline and increased the pressure on the Clevedon middle order.

They slumped to 216-5, with Richie Cave capturing 3-51 from his 10 over spell.

The dangerous Andy Solomons was run out by a great throw from Tom Wand and the Clevedon innings closed on 254-6 from their 50 overs.

Frocester’s innings was a superbly measured run chase, with Khan and Quereshi featuring in a 59 run partnership in only 16 overs.

Quereshi fell leg before for 29 and then the in-form Muchall joined Khan, who was batting superbly.

He was the dominant partner in taking the total to 138-2, when he was leg before to Lintott for 69, which included nine boundaries.

Frocester’s batsmen made full use of the big ground, working the ball into gaps, frustrating the Clevedon bowlers. Muchall and Wand continued in the same vein with a superb partnership of 111, that took Frocester to the brink of victory, Muchall stumped for an excellent 87 with only six runs required for victory.

Wand saw Frocester home, finishing on 57 not out, which included five boundaries.

On Sunday, Frocester defeated Downend in the County Cup, with Muchall scoring a brilliant 91 in Frocester’s total of 291-6 and then taking five wickets, as Downend were dismissed for 221.

Frocester face Downend at Pounds Close on Saturday.