STROUD failed to chase down Tewkesbury’s run target in a close fought contest.

Earlier, Stroud won the toss and captain Paul Frape asked the away side to bat first. James Job and Luke Palmer shared the new ball and restricted the run rate to below two an over. The duo captured a wicket each from the safe hands of Dom Thompson and Tom Horrell.

Unfortunately for Palmer his last two overs of the day were expensive and gave Tewkesbury so much need momentum. This was quickly wrestled back by Frape and Horrell.

Frape then made one of the best decisions of the day to introduce the influential Gavin Dean into the attack, who removed the Tewkesbury middle order.

Frape then handed the ball to Thompson who took four wickets with a mixture of good bowling and poor shot selection to leave Tewkesbury 179 for nine at tea.

In reply, Adam Jones and Toby Carman opened the innings with Carman given a number of lives before being tamely dismissed early on. Unfortunately worse was to follow - Jones succumbed to a dubious first ball decision.

Thompson (30) looked to carry on from last week and together with Frape put together a watchful partnership until he fell.

Horrell then entered the fray and played some lovely shots on his way to a potential match wining innings only to fall tamely. Frape also departed as did Hewitt in quick session to bring Matt Smith to the crease.

With a mixture of good hitting and fantastic running along with Chris Smith, Stroud were back into the driving seat only for Matt Smith to run himself out and Chris Smith fell the following ball.

James Job entered the fray only to be struck down with cramp before making it to the crease.

However, Job and Dean attempted to chase down the 20 needed from three overs, but both perished in the penultimate over.