AUSTRALIAN Will Foley’s chance-less unbeaten century paved the way for Frocester to trump hosts Bristol by 13 runs in the delayed 2024 Gloucestershire County Cup final.
Frocester, who lost the toss, reached 249-6 from their 40 with the village side owing much to Foley who finished unbeaten on 110 from 100, crashing the final two balls of the innings for his only six and 13th four.
Those two blows, and a third wicket partnership of 132 with skipper Dan Whincup (60), proved to be crucial in the final analysis.
Bristol, runners up in the delayed 2024 Gloucestershire County Cup final
Bristol, in reply, lost wickets at regular intervals and were always behind the run rate with only opener Shazil Mustafa (73) and Josh Dinan (38) able to establish themselves at the wicket.
But the home side stayed in the fight and took the game down to the wire against seamer Ben Johnston (3-59) while there were also two wickets apiece for spinners Aaron Tuck and Ryan Kilmister.
Earlier, captain Louie Shaw was the pick of the home attack with a return of 3-27 from eight overs of left-arm spin.
We’ll be back very soon with the 2025 Gloucestershire County Cup and County Trophy draws for the new season, complete with a new sponsor!
DUMBLETON, the 2022 champions and last season’s beaten finalists, are back in Voneus Village Cup action on Sunday, away to Harvington in a Worcestershire pool semi-final.
Aston Ingham, in Herefordshire & Powys, entertain Colwall, while in the Oxfordshire group, it’s Langford at home to Horspath.
Marshfield, meanwhile, will host Rockhampton in the Gloucestershire semi-finals with Painswick welcoming Bourton Vale in the other half of the draw. All matches will start at 1pm.
DETAILS have now been announced of the next stage in WEPL qualifiers which will eventually produce a representative to go forward to the ECB National Club T20.
A total of 17 teams have been placed in five pools to produce five winners. And there will be a further playoff between two sides to reduce this number to four which will take part in WEPL finals day.
Groups of three will play each other while it will be straight knock out in pools of four. First named club will host, on June 1.
Group One: Chipping Sodbury, Frocester, Tewkesbury.
Group Two: Bridgwater, Taunton, Weston-super-Mare, Midsomer Norton.
Group Three: Bristol, Bedminster, Twyford House, Bristol West Indian Phoenix.
Group Four: Bath, Potterne, Corsham.
Group Five: Swindon, Golden Hill, Burbage & Easton Royal.
BISHOPSTON will host Bridgwater on Sunday in a Group Nine semi-final in the ECB National Club Championship. The winners will be away to Potterne or Bristol who meet in Wiltshire (1pm starts).
It’s a big day too for Golden Hill who welcome Usk, conquerors of Bath, in a Group Ten playoff with the prize of a home final against Penzance or Paignton.