FOUR batters smashed centuries as Gloucestershire’s senior sides hit form with a vengeance, including an historic clean sweep for the Over 60s as all four teams recorded comfortable wins.
The 60s’ first XI led the charge as they overwhelmed Cornwall by nine wickets away in Penzance despite chasing 302 for the spoils!
Opener Ian Robson stepped up in style, crashing an unbeaten 169 off only 118 (21 fours, one six) while Steve Witcomb (61 not) and Rob Austen (50) also played key roles as victory was achieved with more than five overs to spare.
In Truro, meanwhile, the Over 60s 2nd XI also romped to an emphatic triumph over Cornwall by 136 runs.
It was a day to remember for Andy Macleod (left in our main image) who finished unbeaten on 162 off 156 (25 fours, two sixes) with the opener sharing an unbroken stand of 154 with Andy Taylor (45, pictured right) in a total of 284-2.
Sean Walters, Steve Pennington and Phil Edge then finished with two wickets apiece as the home side’s reply faded to 148-8.
The 3rds then joined the party with a 37-run home success against Warwickshire at Frampton-on-Severn, Alan Thomas taking a central role with 101 off 94 (17 fours, one six) before Mike Pearson struck with a burst of 5-42 to wrap up the spoils.
And Gloucestershire’s new 4th XI completed a full house with a ten-wicket thumping of Hertfordshire at Birdlip. Keith Daniels grabbed 3-32 from nine as the visitors were pegged back to 169-7 ahead of openers Jim Johnston (76) and David Griffiths (68) taking charge with the bat.
Gloucestershire Over 50s, meanwhile, stretched their unbeaten run, dispatching Wales by seven wickets at Rockhampton.
Jason Loud (3-26), Razi Ahmed (3-36) and Ryan Jamieson (2-49) combined to dismiss Wales for 191 before Rob Cunliffe (64 not) and Jon Tegg (57) banked the points.
Dave Millard finished unbeaten on 111 off 99 (12 fours, five sixes), but the 40th ton of his career – and first at home club Whitchurch – could not save the Over 50s’ second string from an eight-wicket setback against Somerset.
However the Over 50s 3rds trumped Somerset by 68 runs at Chalford, Stuart Davenport top scoring on 41.