BEN Trotman continued his terrific start to life in the senior ranks with a third successive unbeaten century for Gloucestershire Over 50s 2nds.
The opener cracked 155 from 125 (20 fours) to ensure a five-wicket win at Thornbury over Cornwall, following up innings of 114 against Somerset and 102 verses Devon.
Trotman’s superb knock meant Gloucestershire comfortably reached a target of 270 with five overs in hand to remain top of their group with an unbeaten record.
The 50s first XI, though, came up 21 runs short away to Shropshire despite the efforts of Pars Ghadiali (68 not) and Srinivas Kamath (48).
The 50s 3rds had a better day, cruising in by 77 runs away to Oxfordshire with Lee Pattison finishing unbeaten on 135 from 97 (20 fours, one six).
And the 50s 4ths enjoyed a 65-run derby win at Ruardean Hill over Somerset, opener Chris McCormack powering his way to 134 from 112 (17 fours, one six) before Rob Gaffney, Khalid Boota and Jon Merrett bagged three wickets apiece.
Gloucestershire Over 60s suffered a first defeat of the campaign, succumbing by five wickets away to Devon.
The visitors totalled 254-9 after winning the toss at Tavistock, skipper Ian Robson leading from the front with 103 from 88 (13 fours), before Devon bagged the points with almost two overs to spare.
The 60s 2nds, meanwhile, were five wicket victors away to Somerset with Tim Smith unbeaten on 56 and Neil Wilson hitting 54. And the 60s 3rds trumped Worcestershire by 69 runs at Westbury-on-Severn where opener Alan Thomas plundered 126 from 114 (22 fours).
The 60s 4ths, though, battled to total 177-7 at Birdlip against Kent, Mike Carter top scoring on 47, ahead of the visitors coasting in by nine wickets with five overs to spare.
Gloucestershire Over 70s powered to a 173-run home triumph over Cornwall at Frocester that featured centuries from openers Keith Daniels and Bill Lawrence.
Lawrence was out for 102 from 84 (13 fours) in a stand of 181 while Daniels finished unbeaten on a run-a-ball 140 (18 fours, one six) and an unbeaten 56 from John Evans lifted the total to 310-1.
Cornwall, in reply, managed 137-8 from their 45, John Turton (3-16 from seven) and Rick Carman (2-21) putting on the squeeze.
MARIA Fowler led from the front with a captain’s innings of 76 as Gloucestershire’s senior women’s side emerged seven-wicket victors over Somerset in a 30-over friendly at Kingsholm.
The visitors were dismissed for 145, Clare Caudle-Stephens taking 3-29 and Kelly Armfield 3-33, both from six while Lucy Wilkes claimed 1-4 from three overs.
Maria then took charge of Gloucestershire’s reply with fellow opener Kelly (20) and Emma Phillips (24) lending excellent support as the win was clinched with an over to spare.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE captain Rich Trotman finished unbeaten on 127 from 138 as England Over 50s thumped India by seven wickets with more than three overs to spare at Broxbourne, winning the game in style with a six to accompany 14 fours.
THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES
TUESDAY JULY 8
Gloucestershire Over 50s 3rds v Worcestershire, at Chalford
Gloucestershire Over 60s v Wales, at Corse & Staunton
Gloucestershire Over 60s 2nds v Worcestershire, at Bredon
Gloucestershire Over 60s 3rds v Warwickshire, away
WEDNESDAY JULY 9
Gloucestershire Over 50s v Worcestershire, at Lansdown
Gloucestershire Over 50s 2nds v Somerset, away
THURSDAY JULY 10
Gloucestershire Over 70s v Devon, away
CAPTION – Gloucestershire Over 60s 2nd XI – Back row, left to right: Ian Wright (umpire), Neil Wilson, Tim Cull, David Griffiths, Dave Tudor, Tim Smith, Andy Macleod, Ernie Allen (scorer).
Front: Sean Walters, Dave Yates, Steve Pennington (captain), Paul Silvester, Mark Moodie.