THE Gloucestershire County League recorded their first win in the GCF Cup, downing their Bristol & District rivals by seven wickets in front of a large crowd at Hawkesbury Upton.
Bristol, who lost the toss, were bowled out for 149 in warm and sunny conditions. And the County League, who had lost both previous encounters between the competitions by two wickets, then romped to a comfortable victory with more than 11 overs to spare.
The day had started promisingly for Bristol who, at 46-1, were looking comfortable and well set against the new ball. But Anthony James, of Aston Ingham, made an instant impression after joining the attack, taking two wickets with his lively seam.
And the County League then kept the pressure on through spinners Ani Sanat, of Thornbury, who bowled with great control to grab 3-22, along with Chris Job, of Tetbury, who finished with 1-17, both from nine, while Cirencester’s Declan Rugg took 2-10 from 15 deliveries.
Ani Sanat on his way to figures of 3-22 for the Gloucestershire County League against Bristol & District. Image courtesy Steve Gwinnell
Top scorer, on 31, was Abdul Sami with Pak Bristolians team-mate Taimour Warraich hitting 28 while Saqib Imran, of Bristol Pakistanis, cracked a promising 27 before being run out.
A target of 150 always looked under par, and so it proved as Hawkesbury’s Fred Bennett (24) and fellow opener Rugg (21) made steady progress before Aston Ingham team-mates Anthony James and Alex Gooding shared a match-winning stand of 71.
Gooding perished for a well-constructed 28 but James, a strong contender for County League player of the season thanks to a long list of fine displays with bat and ball for his promotion-winning village side, kept going and finished unbeaten on a polished 63 to complete the win.
Abdul Tabraiz, of Pak Bristolians, was the pick of the Bristol attack with a return of 2-31 from eight while there was also a wicket for Sami.
Bristol & District League: Mark Sage (captain), Jon Strand (both Timsbury), Abdul Tabraiz, Taimour Warraich, Abdul Sami, Hashim Warraich (all Pak Bristolians), Fraser Caddick (Clevedon), Sam Williams, Mitch Want (both Cleeve), Charlie Mott (Portishead), Saqib Imran (Bristol Pakistanis).
Gloucestershire County League: George Bailey (captain), Fred Bennett (both Hawkesbury Upton), Alex Gooding, Anthony James (both Aston Ingham), Andy Weeks, Ani Sanat (both Thornbury), Archie Hackett, Declan Rugg (both Cirencester), Chris Job (Tetbury), Jack O’Connell (Lydney), Marcus Ridal (Apperley).
Umpires: Alan Payne, Matt Weeks.
Scorers: Carol Froom, Phil Lewis.
Bristol & District, back row, left to right: Matt Weeks, Abdul Tabraiz. Taimour Warraich, Abdul Sami (all Pak Bristolians), Sam Williams (Cleeve), Fraser Caddick (Clevedon), Mark Sage (captain, Timsbury), John Peplow (chair), Alan Payne. Front: Hashim Warraich (Pak Bristolians), Mitch Want (Cleeve), Charlie Mott (Portishead), Saqib Imran (Bristol Pakistanis), Jon Strand (Timsbury).