JAMES Cotterill compiled a chance-less unbeaten 123 to help pave the way for Gloucestershire Over 60s to open their league campaign with a high scoring 16-run triumph away to Cornwall at Grampound Road CC.
The wicketkeeper shared a third wicket stand of 211 with England international Ed Gordon Lennox who was held for a run-a-ball 91 (five fours, two sixes).
Cotterill stroked 15 boundaries from 103 deliveries to help his side pile up an imposing 290-4 from their 45 overs after losing the toss.
An important feature of the visitors’ batting was their superior fitness and running between the wickets which became clear as Cornwall, who last summer defeated Gloucestershire in the last four of the national cup before going down to Wales in the final, made their charge for victory led by Damian Cummins.
The opener, who was fortunate to survive a chance on 40, finished unbeaten on 157 from 129 as wickets fell regularly at the other end.
England’s Razi Ahmed (3-43) and Nic Hayward (3-56) made inroads while there were also two victims for Matt Cannon as the visitors closed out a confidence-boosting victory.
The 60s 2nds, meanwhile, went down by five wickets at home to Oxfordshire at Moreton-in-Marsh.
Opener Neil Wilson batted all 45 overs for an unbeaten 79 from 135 in Gloucestershire’s challenge of 179-6 after losing the toss.
And although Dave Tudor (2-21 from eight) made an early impact with the ball, the visitors paced their reply nicely to bag the points with five balls to spare.
The 60s 3rds, though, emerged 99-run home victors against Oxfordshire at Stowell Park.
Opener Steve Dummer (65) and David Griffiths (41) top scored in a total of 225-9 after losing the toss.
Richard Cox, Ian Martin and Alan Thomas then struck with two wickets apiece while Martin Hopkins finished with figures of 2-4 from one over as the home side cruised to the spoils.
Gloucestershire Over 50s warmed up for their first league fixture by chasing down a target of 265 in an away friendly against Worcester Over 40s.
Captain Rich Trotman grabbed 3-19 from seven as the home side reached 264-6 before Mike Courtier hammered an unbeaten 78 from just 43 (eight fours, two sixes) to get his side over the line after earlier half centuries from Graham Herring and Simon Hygate.
TUESDAY MAY 5
Gloucestershire O60s v Devon (Thornbury, 1pm)
Gloucestershire O60s 2nds away v Devon
Gloucestershire O60s 4ths away v Somerset
WEDNESDAY MAY 6
Gloucestershire O50s away v Staffordshire
Gloucestershire O50s 3rds away v Surrey
THURSDAY MAY 7
Gloucestershire O70s away v Wales
Gloucestershire O70s 2nds v Hertfordshire (Birdlip, 1pm)
