GLOUCESTER rallied from 19-5 to eventually beat Stroud by 12 runs to remain second in WEPL’s Gloucestershire division, writes Steve Hill. 

Sam Hewitt’s side were soon in desperate straits after losing the toss as Angus and Ewan Gegg made a series of breakthroughs.

But Rob Wigley (34 off 67) and Jack Cowles (29 from 55) dug in to drag their side up to a total of 106.

And, incredibly, it proved to be enough as Craig Collinson (5-32), Ben Johnston (3-19) and Jack Cowles (2-4 from five) combined in style to secure the unlikely victory.

Earlier, Angus Gegg bagged 4-30 from ten and Ewan Gegg (3-11 from eight).

Leaders Tewkesbury made it five from five with a seven wicket home success against Frocester 2nds, Tom Stevens (3-13 from ten) and captain Tom Allcoat (3-24) both shining.

James William (90) and in-form captain Benny Ellis (83) along with Elliot Hayward (5-20 from ten) dominated Charlton Kings’ 137-run home triumph against Rockhampton while Bourton Vale were six-wicket victors at Corse & Staunton.

Chipping Sodbury, needing 173 for the win at home to Langford, rallied from 65-7 thanks to Jamie Wakefield’s fourth successive half century after 15-year-old Henry Rendell had earlier bagged career-best figures of 5-10 from 4.4.

Thornbury, the Premier Two Glos/Wilts leaders, brushed past Avebury by 122 runs while second placed Dumbleton made it four in a row with a six wicket success at Hatherley & Reddings.

Painswick came unstuck by one wicket at Chippenham while Cheltenham were 60-run home victors over Royal Wootton Bassett, Worcestershire’s Gareth Roderick cracking 75.

No 11 Finn Starkey, meanwhile, smashed the last ball of the match for a legside six to give Bristol a nerve-tingling home one-wicket win over Taunton St Andrews in Premier One.

Bishopston edged cross-town rivals Bedminster by three wickets, Gus McKenzie unbeaten on 68, while Frocester went down by 111 runs at home to champions Bath.

Downed, leaders of Premier Two Bristol/Somerset, saw off Keynsham by 85 runs while second placed Golden Hill made it four in a row with an 87-run thumping of Ilminster, Gloucestershire’s Ed Middleton (4-20 from ten) and Jacob Stevenson (4-24 from 8.1) starring.

Knowle stretched their 100 per cent record in Bristol & North Somerset to five outings with a 130-run victory away to Stapleton while promoted OB Westbury made it four in a row with a 47-run success at Twyford House, Connor Crane top scoring on 90.

Bedminster 2nds clinched their first win of the campaign, holding off Brislington by one run, Bristol 2nds edged Bradley Stoke by four wickets and Bristol West Indian Phoenix saw off Bath 2nds by three wickets, captain Ashur Morrison unbeaten on 77.

GCCL

CENTURIONS Chris Job and Tom Wand shared a third wicket stand of 268 for Tetbury who romped past Newent by 324 runs to remain second in Division Two of the AMS Gloucestershire County League.

Job was eventually stumped for 136 after facing 101 balls (16 fours, two sixes) while Wand perished for 130 from only 79 (ten fours, eight sixes) as their side piled up a mighty 376-4 from their 45 after losing the toss.

The home side, in reply, then faded to 52 all out, James Job leading the charge with a return of 5-10 from nine while Phil Cook bagged 3-29 from six before Jacob Flowers ended the innings with two wickets in his first three balls to finish with 2-0.

Leaders Cheltenham 2nds, meanwhile, saw off Apperley by 54 runs, Ben Pegler top scoring on 86 and Pravar Timmaraju taking 3-18.

Division One pacesetters Hawkesbury Upton slipped up for the first time, going down by 48 runs at home to Lydney and are now only two points clear of Thornbury 2nds who dispatched Great Rissington by nine wickets, Anir Sanat (4-13) and Harry Blackwell (3-23) inflicting the damage.

There was a first win in Division Three for Cinderford St John, Dan Kibble finishing with 5-22 from eight in a five-wicket success away at Dymock.

Leaders Dumbleton 2nds trumped Hatherley & Reddings 2nds by 37 runs, Finn Brabham and Lewis Rollinson both taking three wickets.

Openers Andy Philips (93) and Greg Shepherd (74) paved the way for Bourton Vale 2nds to dispatch their Corse & Staunton counterparts by 175 runs in Division Four, Danny Way following up with fine figures of 5-13 from eight.

And Jack Weaver’s return of 5-38 proved to be in vain as Stroud 2nds went down by 39 runs away to Churchdown.

Whitminster made it five from five in Division Five, completing a 62-run victory away to Lydney 2nds with Jake Clack capturing 4-25 from eight.

Arcadian Nine Elms had to work hard to extend their 100 per cent record in Division Six, overcoming Tormarton by three wickets, while at the other end of the table there was a first win for Oldlands who trumped Birdlip & Brimpsfield by 50 runs.

Ranjit Singh produced one of the spells of the day to claim 6-24 from eight for Upton St Leonards but it could not prevent a four wicket setback away to Langford 2nds.

And in Division Seven, Dan Sampson’s burst of 5-10 from five ensured a 114-run home triumph for Lechlade over Oaksey.

Haresfield Gladiators remain bottom despite securing their first win of the campaign, Ali Smith and Astie Bolton both claiming four wickets to help set up a nine-wicket pounding of Painswick 2nds, Steve Jones following up with an unbeaten 58 and Ali Smith hitting 54.