SADIQ Rizvi finished three runs short of a well deserved century as Golden Hill 2nds cruised into the first round of the Stuart Canvas Gloucestershire Trophy with a seven-wicket home victory over Oaksey.
Set a target of 191, Golden Hill got over the line with almost nine overs to spare as Rizvi pounded an unbeaten 97 off 86 balls (13 fours and a six) and wicketkeeper Jack Porter weighed in with 43 to set up a home date against Stroud 2nds or Chipping Sodbury.
Earlier, Alex Tuck walloped 80 off only 56 deliveries (ten fours, three sixes) in the visitors’ challenge of 190-7, Ash Bonynge-Pearce and Sooraj Premsagar capturing two wickets apiece.
Arguably the innings of the weekend came from Johnny Daw who crashed 136 from 130 balls (17 fours, three sixes) but still finished on the losing side as Bohemians came up 19 runs short away to Bedminster 2nds.
The home side reached an imposing 251-5 thanks to the efforts of Rob Cunliffe (77), Garreth Elphick (66) and skipper Alex Tryfonos (48).
But Bohs pushed hard for victory and were always in with a chance with Daw at the wicket before he perished with the total on 223.
Bedminster will now be away to Frenchay, at a date to be confirmed.
It was also a busy day of action in the Voneus National Village Cup. An unbeaten 114 from captain Martin Cropper and 59 not out by Matt Tyler saw 2013 finalists Rockhampton to an eight-wicket home success over Chipping Campden, Jamie Wakefield earlier capturing 4-33.
This result secured an away Gloucestershire group quarter-final against Corse & Staunton who were seven-wicket victors at Kingsholm, Matt Cox top scoring on 85.
Apperley dispatched Whitminster by 189 runs and will now be home to Cam who completed a notable 27-run success at Marshfield, Jake Dolbear contributing a crucial unbeaten 69.
Stapleton, in Somerset & Avon, suffered a 132-run home setback against Wembdon while Dumbleton had a walk-over against Feckenham in the Worcestershire pool.
Attention turns this weekend to the first matches in the ECB’s National Club Twenty20. Several WEPL triangulars involving GCB member clubs are scheduled including Winterbourne hosting Thornbury and Stroud, Weston-super-Mare welcoming Bedminster and Congresbury, while Cheltenham will be home to Gloucester and Painswick. Matches are scheduled for 10.30am, 1.30pm and 4.30pm.
A total of 36 WEPL clubs will eventually be whittled down to one qualifier for the first national round.