EASTCOMBE aren’t giving up their Lords Premier title without a fight as they saw off a stiff challenge from Minchinhampton.

Kevin Pring and Tim Phillips took three wickets apiece but the Waring boys (Jamie with 47, Alex with 63 not out) and 28 not out from Steve Rogers saw Minch post 217-7.

Tim Phillips must then have been in supreme form as he hit an unbeaten 139 and combined with Anth Perrins (54) to see Eastcombe home in 26 overs.

Rockhampton III stay top after a close win at Frocester IV. Rockhampton scored 169-9 thanks to 46 from Paul Williams and 40 from Steve Ives as Jake Roberts took 5-35.

Frocester IV seemed on course as Mark Jeffereson hit 45 and Dan Whincup 25 but Rockhampton’s bowler of the year Tom Cullimore took another four wickets to dismiss Frocester for 150.

Rain affected Leonard Stanley’s game with bottom side Woodchester as the game was abandoned with the home side 35-2.

Slimbridge were also defeated at Hardwicke despite a fine 63 from Jeffrey Chandra. He was caught to a stunning catch from Jordan Rouse which turned the game as Slimbridge finished on 201-9.

Hardwicke reached their target for the loss of five with Mark Chapple hitting 45 and Gareth Lees providing a star man performance with a brutal 87 not out.

Five scores of 20 plus were enough to get Tormarton to 152-9 against Bisley who then never really got going despite 27 from Nick Green as Sunny Bose took 4-20 to see them dismissed for 109.

Results mean that Woodchester needs wins quickly and any one of four other teams can still go down.

In OnTheLimit Division One, Hardwicke enjoyed a vital win at Painswick to edge clear of the relegation zone.

A half century from Paul Giles and 38 from Kev Withers had seen Painswick IV to 197 all out as Callum Telford took 3-9 for the visitors.

However, three scores above 40 - from Paul Toomey, Jason Taylor and Adam Mace saw Hardwicke II home by three wickets despite a fine 5-65 from Bryony Overs.

Eric Woodmason was Frocester V’s hero as he saw them to a 35 run win over Stroud III, Frocester scored 148 with Woodmason 42 and Henry Day unbeaten on 38, with Rich Cox taking 4-45 for Stroud.

Cox then hit 46 but Woodmason took 4-35 and Jack Gillett 3-23 to restrict the home team to 113.

Cam III v Stone III was abandoned and Whitminster enjoyed a walkover against Eastington.

In Division Two, a stand of 145 between Andy Stratford (83*) and Martin Bourne (39*) saw Woodchester II to 211-3.

Bruno Bussetti had earlier scored 38 and J Osbourne took 3-48 for Stroud III.

Dave Parker then took 5-28 as the visitors were dismissed for 96.

Rockhampton IV were well beaten by Painswick IV, who dismissed their hosts cheaply and raced to a nine- wicket win.