THERE was a first win for Stroud who completed a three-wicket triumph at Biddestone thanks to a fine all-round display from Keegan Petersen, writes Steve Hill.

The South African struck with 5-46 as the home side were pegged back to 207-9. And Petersen followed up with a crucial 77 to help Stroud complete the victory with ten balls to spare.

Hatherley & Reddings boosted their Gloucestershire Division promotion hopes with a three-wicket victory away to rivals Rockhampton in the Courage West of England Premier League.

Callum Stewart (4-31) helped restrict the Rams to a total of 204 dominated by opener Tristan Jungbauer’s 89 before Freddie Merrett (49) and George Hill (48) put Hatherley on their way with an opening stand of 84.

Andre Soma (34) and Callum Stewart (30 not) then also played their part in defying James Hancox (5-42) as Hatherley strengthened their bid to bounce back to Premier Two Glos/Wilts after relegation in 2017.

Ed Goolden claimed 4-60 and top scored with an unbeaten 103 in Corse & Staunton’s eight-wicket home win over Cheltenham Civil Service for whom opener Jordan Rouse was dismissed for 99.

Fin Dixon (97 not) and Chad Trainor (91) saw Frocester 2nds to a six-wicket home victory against Gloucester while Tom Fallalove bowled Cirencester to a 40-run triumph at Painswick with a fine return of 6-27.

High-flying Bourton Vale, meanwhile, trumped Tewkesbury by nine wickets, Andy Philips hitting 60.

In Premier One, Cheltenham are up to a season’s best of seventh courtesy of a 49-run home victory over Bristol.

The win was built on a terrific opening stand of 196 between Kieran Smith (104) and Alex Millard (97) before George Pritchard (4-37) and Josh Breed (3-44) struck with the ball.

Downend were bowled out for just 67 and a 217-run defeat at Bridgwater and Bedminster slipped up by six wickets at Potterne despite opener Sai Kamuni’s 106.

Opener Ben Slade (148) and Sam Bracey (137) put on 237 for the third wicket at Winterbourne who demolished Weston-super-Mare by 247 runs to remain second in Premier Two Bristol/Somerset while Bishopston were beaten by four wickets at Ilminster.

Thornbury started the day top of Premier Two Glos/Wilts but were leapfrogged by Chippenham after the Wiltshire side cruised to a 214-run win.

Chris Munden (107) and Gloucestershire’s Graeme Van Buuren (96 not) saw Chippenham to a total of 326-4 which proved to be well out of reach, Van Buuren following up with 4-19.

Frocester closed the gap on Thornbury with a 132-run victory at Dumbleton which featured 120 from Gloucestershire Academy all-rounder Will Naish and 95 by skipper Uzi Qureshi.

In Bristol & North Somerset, leaders Bristol West Indian Phoenix came unstuck by 260 runs away to Bath 2nds.

And that result allowed Bristol 2nds to claim a share of pole position following a five-wicket home win over Twyford House.

Joint top are Congresbury who edged Brislington by 12 runs while Knowle defeated Timsbury by five wickets and Frenchay kept their nerve for a last-over one-wicket derby triumph at Stapleton.

Spare a thought for all-rounder Babar Pervaiz who top scored on 94 (18 fours and a six) for Stapleton and also claimed 3-23 from ten only to still finish on the losing side