GLOUCESTERSHIRE over 50s began their new campaign with an emphatic seven-wicket home win against Warwickshire at Downend.
The visitors were made to regret their decision to bat after winning the toss, slipping from 43-2 to 117 all out.
And Gloucestershire (pictured) made light of losing two early wickets to romp to the points, Simon Hygate (53 not) and James Gammon (38) sharing a breezy stand of 81.
There were two wickets apiece for Keith Knight, Craig Whiting and Steve Bridge while Paul Turner produced a testing opening spell of 1-19 from nine with captain Richard Trotman and Jason Loud also bagging one wicket apiece.
Steve Williams grabbed 4-53 and Srini Kamath hit 77 for the 50s 2nds in a six wicket success away to Cornwall, but the 3rds lost by eight wickets away to Warwickshire and there was a 70-run reverse for the 4ths, also away to Warwickshire.
Gloucestershire Over 70s, meanwhile, emerged eight-wicket victors away to Cornwall at Ladock.
The home side struggled to total 105-8 from their 45 after winning the toss thanks to the unerring accuracy of the bowling led by Tony Garton (3-10), Graham Clarke (3-16) and debutant Mike Pearson (2-18, all from nine).
Opener Keith Daniels (51 not) and captain Roger Beese (28) then ensured there were no shocks for the visitors.
Gloucestershire Over 60s made it three from three, chasing down a target of 245 with almost seven overs to spare against Devon at Thornbury.
Matt Cannon (3-50) was the pick of the home attack with Nick Marment and Razi Ahmed grabbing two wickets apiece.
Opener Rob Austen then led the Gloucestershire reply with a run-a-ball 99 (14 fours), only to be denied a well deserved century when he was trapped leg before, while Andy Taylor weighed in with 64.
The 60s 2nds succumbed by eight wickets at home to Somerset at Stowell Park despite half centuries from opener Simon Mezsaros and Paul Silvester, but the 60s 3rds were 112-run winners away to Leicestershire with opener David Griffiths hitting 50 while there were three wickets apiece for Phil Brown and Martin Hopkins.
The 60s 4ths, though, slipped up by six wickets away to Kent.
ED Gordon Lennox and Razi Ahmed have been named in the first England Over 60s squads of the summer.
Ed will once again captain England, against Wales, at Newport on May 23 and also against Scotland, at Saltburn on May 29.
Razi, meanwhile, is in the squad to face Wales, and has also been named in an England Lions squad to take on Scotland, at Seaton Carew on May 30.
THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES
TUESDAY MAY 20
Gloucestershire Over 60s v Wales (away)
Gloucestershire Over 60s 2nds v Worcestershire (away)
Gloucestershire Over 60s 3rds v Wales (home, at Westbury-on-Severn) 1pm
WEDNESDAY MAY 21
Gloucestershire Over 50s v Wales (away)
Gloucestershire Over 70s 2nds v Hertfordshire (home, at Stowell Park) 1pm
THURSDAY MAY 22
Gloucestershire Over 70s v Devon (home, at Chipping Sodbury) noon
Gloucestershire Over 50s 3rds v Wales (home, at Stroud) 1pm
Gloucestershire Over 50s 4ths v Wales (home, at Stroud) 1pm
Gloucestershire Over 50s, back row, left to right: Dave Johnson (umpire), Andy Geddes, Craig Whiting, Jason Loud, Paul Turner, Mike Courtiour, Kerry Lock, Darren Turl (umpire).
Front: Steve Bridge, Keith Knight, Andy Marson (scorer), Richard Trotman (captain), Simon Hygate, James Gammon.
