DUMBLETON kept alive their hopes of a dream return to Lord’s with a 106-run away win over Gloucestershire rivals Aston Ingham in the quarter-finals of the Voneus Village Cup while Painswick suffered an agonising four-run defeat away at Grampound Road, of Truro.
Dumbleton, the 2022 champions, reached 255-6 from their 40 after winning the toss, Charlie Garratt (86) and skipper Ross Martin (45) impressing at the top of the order before Adam Stuart (46 not) and Aaron Tomson (40) took the attack to Aston Ingham.
Charlie Garratt on his way to 86 against Aston Ingham, image courtesy Philip Wilcox
Anthony James hits out on his way to 48 for Aston Ingham, image courtesy Philip Wilcox
In reply, the home side lost two early wickets and were always on the back foot against more experienced opponents with Finn Brabham (4-29 from eight) leading the way.
Tom Green (main image) claimed 3-19 from six, including the key wicket of Anthony James for 48, while there were also two wickets for Martin as Dumbleton progressed to a home last four clash against Manchester club Woodhouses on August 4.
Painswick, meanwhile, showed tremendous character to take their quarter-final to the final over after looking down and out at one stage.
The Cornish side had to work hard to reach 191-6, brothers Matt, Jon and Alastair Conolly all taking a wicket along with captain Jack Hobbis.
In reply, Painswick appeared well set at 118-2 in the 23rd over, Luke Woolway top scoring on 38, before Grampound Road began to turn the screw, sparking a collapse to 169-9 in the 34th.
But the final wicket pair of Hobbis and Nathan Fagg chipped away at the 23 required runs and, amid incredible tension, went into the final over requiring five for a famous win.
Back came the home side, though, with the match-winning wicket off the first ball to leave Painswick just short of their target.
JOSH Breed’s unbeaten century helped Cheltenham cruise past Knowle by six wickets to reach the quarter-finals of the Stuart Canvas Gloucestershire Cup.
Visitors Knowle reached 224-5 from their 40, Aussie Andrew Rasemene top scoring on 62 with Mateem Mohammed capturing 2-38.
And the total proved to be well within reach for Cheltenham as Breed and Will Hope (62) shared an unbroken stand of 134 to book their passage with seven overs to spare.
Also through are Bristol courtesy of a 58-run victory away to Tewkesbury which featured 116 from New Zealander Curtis Heaphy along with 72 by opener Nic Halstead Cleak before Rishi Panchal bagged 5-32 from six.
Quarter-final draw: Bedminster v Bristol West Indian Phoenix, Bishopston v Painswick, Bristol v Golden Hill, Downend v Cheltenham. Ties due to be played July 28.
THE first semi-final in the Stuart Canvas Gloucestershire Trophy is due to be played on Sunday with Pak Bristolians hosting local rivals Bristol Pakistanis (1pm).
The second play-off, between Downend 2nds and Gloucester AIW, takes place on August 4.