GLOUCESTER AIW had to dig deep for a thrilling one wicket win away to Frampton-on-Severn to remain top of Division Three in the Gloucestershire Cricket League.
Needing 120, the visitors were in all kinds of trouble at 56-8 before Mohammad Saleh dug in for a valuable 25 from 56 and Shockat Veshmia hit a crucial unbeaten 26 to help bank the points. Earlier, Kaihaan Zakhil grabbed 5-37 for AIW.
Opener Ben Hopkins guided Quedgeley & Hardwicke to an eight-wicket home triumph over Chipping Sodbury 2nds, finishing unbeaten on 127 off 108 (16 fours).
And Newent’s Jack Cowles was another batter in form with 126 not out at the top of the order in a six wicket home defeat of Rockhampton 2nds.
Opener Chris Clayton, meanwhile, top scored on 102 off 110 (16 fours) for Fairford in a total of 196 but it proved to be comfortably in range for Woodmancote who coasted in by six wickets with 14 overs to spare, Ade Stenner hitting 69.
Apperley began the day fourth in Division Two but ended it in pole position courtesy of a 54-run success away to Westbury-on-Severn and other results around them.
Spare a thought, though, for Greg Artus who grabbed 5-24 from 7.4 overs and then followed up with his side’s top score of 53 but still finished on the losing side, falling victim to Jack Bilsby (4-17).
Division One leaders Corse & Staunton marched on with a five wicket win away to Rockhampton, Matt Brown (4-17 from nine) and Matt Cox (71) both shining.
High flying Cheltenham 2nds saw off Chipping Campden by 56 runs, rallying in style from a terrible start at 0-2, and Cheltenham Civil Service won by 52 runs at Tetbury, Richard Robinson playing havoc with a return of 5-18.
Kingsholm moved out of the bottom two with a 77-run thumping of fellow strugglers Redmarley, Thom Wilshaw capturing 4-29 from nine.
Charlton Kings 2nds’ 100 per cent record in Division Four came to an end with an eight-wicket reverse away to Cheltenham 3rds, Amith James top scoring on an unbeaten 55 for the home side.
And Whitminster, second at the start of the day, were unable to take advantage as they slipped up by six wickets at Cranham, Tom Hopkins starring with a return of 5-14.
King’s Stanley 2nds, meanwhile, made it nine from nine in Division Eight D, overwhelming Frocester 4ths by nine wickets.
Gloucester AIW 2nds also maintained their perfect record, downing Quedgeley & Hardwicke by four wickets in Division Nine B with Soyeb Patel top scoring on 60.
And in Division Nine E, Hawkesbury Upton 3rds eased past Chalford 2nds by six wickets to also make it nine from nine, Dan Jenkins grabbing 3-11 from eight.
