GLOUCESTERSHIRE’s thriving seniors section was left reflecting on a week to remember after fielding nine sides … and completing what is thought to be a unique and first ever full house of nine wins!
The 60s first XI set a terrific example, holding their nerve for a low scoring nine-run defeat of Dorset at Cirencester to stay top of their group.
James Cotterill top scored on 47 in the home side’s challenge of 209-9 before Dorset came up just short against the efforts of Nic Hayward (4-49) and Ken Earl (2-17, both from nine).
The 60s 2nds were 85-run victors away to Oxfordshire, Andy Macleod hitting 72 and skipper Steve Pennington taking 5-17 from five while the 3rds saw off neighbours Somerset by five wickets, Richard Graham top scoring on 39 (retired).
The 60s 4ths ensued a complete full set of age section successes, chasing down a target of 260 away to Buckinghamshire for a seven-wicket win with opener Mike Pickard hitting 85.
A memorable day got even better as news filtered through that the 50s 3rds (main image) walloped Warwickshire by 344 runs at Stroud, Gareth Price and Sathya Prakash sharing an opening stand of 230.
Price was eventually out for 115 off 94 (19 fours, one six) and Prakash cracked 109 from 71 (12 fours, seven sixes).
It was much closer on an adjoining pitch as the 50s 4ths worked hard for a one-wicket win over their Warwickshire counterparts, Ben Salisbury taking 3-51 and then contributing a crucial unbeaten 20 at the death after Stuart Wilshaw’s earlier 49.
All that momentum was carried into two matches on the following day when the 50s first XI and 2nds completed comfortable victories.
The 50s cruised past Herefordshire by 86 runs at Downend, skipper Richard Trotman (84) leading the charge.
And the 2nds enjoyed a terrific ten wicket triumph away to Devon, chasing down a target of 227 in style.
Ben Trotman compiled a second successive century, finishing on 102 from 123 (eight fours) while fellow opener Mike Donaldson’s 101 off 111 included ten boundaries.
Eight from eight meant there was an air of expectation the next day when Gloucestershire Over 70s headed to Barrow Gurney for a derby date against Somerset.
And the visitors delivered in style, completing a 25-run victory after opener Keith Daniels had top scored with 130 off 117 (22 fours) and Graham Clarke claimed 3-56 from nine.
ED Gordon Lennox captained England Over 60s to three comfortable victories in three outings against the West Indies, blasting quick-fire half centuries in the second and third clashes.
Gloucestershire colleague Razi Ahmed finished with 4-19 from five overs in the first game and 2-45 in the second match.
This week’s fixtures
TUESDAY JUNE 24
Gloucestershire Over 50s 3rds away v Wales
Gloucestershire Over 50s 4ths away v Wales
Gloucestershire Over 60s away v Cornwall
Gloucestershire Over 60s 2nds v Devon, at Long Ashton
Gloucestershire Over 60s 3rds v Leicestershire, at Cirencester
Gloucestershire Over 60s 4ths away v Sussex
THURSDAY JUNE 26
Gloucestershire Over 70s v Worcestershire, at Frocester
CAPTION – Gloucestershire Over 50s 3rd XI, back row, left to right: Sathya Prakash, Phil Walker, Neil Rayer, Pars Ghadiali, Lee Pattison, Steve Dannatt, Gareth Price.
Front: Al Hope, Katharine Bovey (Scorer), Andy Burrows (Captain), Ravi Vinjamuri, James Walkley-Cox.
