FROCESTER closed the gap at the top of Premier One to four points with a Duckworth-Lewis five-wicket victory over Downend at Pounds Close on Saturday.

Earlier, Matt Jackson won the toss for Downend and elected to bat, but Pat Grieshaber was bowled first ball of the match by Ross Martin.

The Frocester bowling and fielding then applied pressure which Downend were never able to escape from.

Fin Dixon had Waghela caught behind and then the metronome, Tom Drake took two wickets, reducing the visitors to 90-4 from 27 overs.

Amit Patel then joined the attack and in a dream debut took 4-15 from eight overs as Downend crumbled to 120-8. By now thunderstorms were rumbling all around Pounds Close and the groundstaff were called into action to keep the pitch and square dry.

After three delays, tea was taken with Downend at 135-9 from 39 overs.

The Duckworth-Lewis calculation left Frocester a target of 127 in 38 overs.

Uzi Qureshi and Fin Dixon made a solid start for Frocester, but Phil Jackson bowled an excellent opening spell for Downend and once Callum Gregory joined the attack, they took 2 wickets each to reduce Frocester to 73-4.

Tom Wand top-scored with 27, but when he was leg before to Matt Jackson, Frocester were under pressure at 86-5 in damp, dark conditions. Gegg and Trainor took the total to 96-5 in the 22nd over, when the rains returned and play was eventually abandoned for the day with Frocester winning on a faster scoring rate.

Frocester are away to Bridgwater on Saturday and Sunday in the league and the National KO cup.

Frocester 2nd X1 defeated Dumbleton by 39 runs in the WEPL Gloucestershire Division, moving into second-place.

Frocester totalled 260 all out in 45 overs with Dan Whincup (60) and Chad Trainor (40) leading the way.

Dumbleton finished on 190-9 with Alastair Downey and Dan Huxstep taking three wickets each.

Next weekend Frocester 2nd X1 are at home to Lydney.