GLOUCESTERSHIRE showed why they are the defending ECB Over 70s champions with a commanding nine-wicket home victory over Oxfordshire at Frocester.
The visitors, who won the toss, reached 211-7 from their 45 overs. But the target proved to be well within range for Gloucestershire, thanks mainly to an opening stand of 153 between England captain John Evans (92) and Keith Daniels (78 not).
A fourth win of the summer was clinched with almost seven overs to spare after Graham Clarke (3-40) and John Turton (2-28, both from nine) had earlier been the pick of the home attack.
Gloucestershire Over 50s, though, suffered a 67-run setback away to Staffordshire.
The home side reached 216-5, captain Richard Trotman and James Gammon both taking two wickets. But the visitors came up well short, Simon Hygate top scoring on 37 in a disappointing reply.
Gloucestershire Over 50s’ 2nd string, meanwhile, were eight-wicket victors at Great Rissington over Dorset.
Set a target of 247, the home side won with ease after captain Mark Febery (119 not) and Andy Geddes (84) shared an opening stand of 205.
It was tighter at Corse & Staunton where Gloucestershire Over 60s held off Dorset by three runs, Steve Witcomb hitting 59 while there were two wickets apiece for Tim Cull, Razi Ahmed and Ken Earl.
The 60s 2nds were 106-run away winners against Devon, Keith Brown top scoring on an unbeaten 45 before taking 4-51.
Gloucestershire Over 60s 3rds lost by six wickets against Worcestershire despite an unbeaten 60 from Peter Adams and Alan Thomas’ 59, and the 4ths were trumped by five wickets by Buckinghamshire.
Gloucestershire Over 50s 3rds lost to Wales by six wickets at Stroud despite David Lane’s 47 while the 4ths emerged seven-wicket winners over their Wales counterparts, Paul Singh (71) and Hanif Shaikh (52) leading the charge.
Gloucestershire Over 70s, back row, left to right: Andy Howe, Tony Glinos, Bill Lawrence, Dave Collinson, Fred Bayliss, Rick Carman, Keith Daniels, Ernie Allen (scorer). Front: Graham Clarke, John Turton, Roger Beese (captain), John Evans, Howard Johnson.