STROUD jumped to the top of the table after a resounding victory at Bourton, writes Gavin Dean.

Earlier, skipper Will Golding lost the toss and Stroud were asked to bat on a green wicket.

Openers Tom Horrell and James O’Brien started with their normal array of positive shots to register a 50-run partnership.

Horrell was first to fall for 40 to a catch in the gully and Thompson fell shortly after.

This brought Chris Job to the crease to join O’Brien and the pair batted well before O’Brien was caught at slip for 45, bringing in the experienced Luke Benneyworth to the crease.

Both Job and Benneyworth batted well, mixing some good running with an array of shots, including both batsman clearing the new pavilion. Both passed 50 with Job falling for 60 with 10 overs left to bring in Paul Frape.

Unfortunately Frape couldn’t continue his rich vein of form and he fell for one, bringing skipper Golding to join Benneyworth. The pair played magnificently well to finish on 19 and 60 not out respectively as skipper Golding took the decision to declare, leaving Stroud 270 for five.

James Job bowled with good pace and was unlucky not to take a wicket or two in his opening spell. Partner Tom Furley kept things tight at the other end and passed the bat, but without the luck he deserved.

Skipper Golding followed Job, and but for a long opening over, bowled well as did Horrell and Chris Job as Bourton struggled to keep up with the required rate.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals with Bourton never threatening to win the game. The three spinners of Chris Job, Horrell and Gavin Dean really tying the batsman down with Job taking three and Dean two.

James Job and Furley returned to clear up the tail, with Job finishing with two and Furley three as Bourton fell to 228 in the last over.

Star Man - Chris Job. Another fantastic all round display.