By Eric Woodmason

TOM WAND'S magical 101 helped Premier One leaders Frocester hold their nerve to clinch a 10-run victory over Corsham at Pounds Close on Saturday.

Earlier, Nick Trainor won the toss and batted first on a green seamers wicket and Louis Gegg and Qureshi were back in the pavilion with the total only on 17.

However, this brought Wand to the crease to join Paul Muchall in a stand of 79 in 18 overs.

Muchall was then bowled by Jo King for 41, which included four boundaries. Sam Bracey then joined Wand in another substantial partnership of 80 which took the Frocester total to 176-3.

When Bracey fell for 41, Wand, supported by Trainor (23), powered on to his second Premier One century of the season. He was eventually dismissed for 101, as Frocester were all out for 249 off the final delivery of the 50th over.

In reply, the Corsham charge was led by Steve Bullen with 66 from only 44 balls. He was well-supported by Dwaine Fielding (32) in taking the score to 93-3. But, inevitably, it was the brutal Michael Coles, in good form following his century at Bath last week that provided the major challenge.

He set himself for another match-winning innings, but wickets continued to fall at the other end to a combination of Muchall, Trainor, Martin and Hazeldine.

Nevertheless, at 224-8 from 46 overs,Coles was still there on 81 not out after Bracey had taken two regulation catches off the bowling of Muchall.

The excitement mounted as 26 runs were required for victory, but, firstly Hazeldine held a vital catch at backward point to dismiss Coles for 91 with the total at 237-9. Two runs later, Trainor, stationed at extra cover, clung on to a steepling top edge to secure victory for his team.

FROCESTER 2nd X1s chances in the race for the WEPL Gloucestershire title received a dent when they were defeated by four-wickets at Chipping Sodbury.

A batting collapse from 50-1 to 83-6 did little to help their cause and, in fact, they did well to recover to 156 all out in the 47th over.

Chad Trainor (40 not out) and Richie Cave (21) were the main contributors. Frocester bowled and fielded well, but, just did not have quite enough runs, as Chipping Sodbury reached their target in the 45th over with four wickets in hand.

FROCESTER defeated Bridgwater in the regional final of the National Club T20 competition, winning by eight wickets with six overs to spare.

Bridgwater recovered to 130-9 after struggling to 78-7. Ross Martin, Tom Wand and Fin Dixon each took two wickets.

Frocester powered to victory with Louis Gegg smashing 60 from only 34 deliveries and Trainor with 50 not out from 36 deliveries.