By Mike Waring

UNDER-STRENGTH Minchinhampton raided their seconds and grabbed a tremendous win against Haresfield Gladiators.

Brothers Howard and Henry Auster – watched by proud father Paul – set into the Gladiators score of 186 with a 100 plus opening partnership. Henry perished just before his 50, but Howard carried his bat with 73 in a match winning stand with Peter Raphael.

When bowling, Minch were steady with veteran John Turton returning to first-team action with two for 24. Pete Wallis, two for 29 chimed in with and only Ali Smith (37) offered any real resistance for Gladiators.

Minch captain Jaime Waring said: “ Howard and Henry are good bats and I was delighted with their stand. We have some great depth, but we remain decimated by key player injuries.”

Minch take on in-form Stroud this weekend, who boast a five-game winning run.

NEW-LOOK Minch seconds spent ten minutes introducing themselves to each other, but put up a great performance.

Skipper Ben Pitman’s opening spell of 3-21 was as quick as you will see at this level and Dave Gordon put in a spell of 3-27 to put Oldlands on the ropes at 100-8.

But a last wicket stand in which Ali Smith hit 37 and Brad Jones hardly faced a ball somehow put on 50 runs. Justin Hodges (28) and Dave Gordon (30) then set Minch on the road, but a near terminal mid-order collapse was almost saved by Shaun Halbrow and Tom Parker, who hammered out 50 runs only to fall 10 runs short of the total.