GOLDEN Hill powered their way into the second stage of WEPL qualifiers for the ECB National Club T20 with two impressive pool victories showcasing their all-round strength.
Jack Penn blazed exactly 100 from just 53 balls (six fours, nine sixes) in his side’s total of 233-6 to pave the way for a 97-run victory over Premier Two Bristol & Somerset rivals Bishopston, Haseeb Noori claiming 4-24.
And Gloucestershire’s Ahmed Syed finished with 6-17 from four overs as Golden Hill then overcame hosts Downend by 39 runs to reach the next stage with plenty to spare.
It was a good day too for Frocester who went through courtesy of defeating Stroud by five wickets and racing to an eight-wicket success over Painswick, Ben Johnston ending the match unbeaten on 99.
Ninad Kadam, meanwhile, struck 101 for Stroud in a total of 207-7 against Painswick who cruised to their target in less than 15 overs.
Also through are Tewkesbury who edged Hatherley & Reddings by 11 runs and Cheltenham by eight runs; Bristol West Indian Phoenix who trumped Pak Bristolians by 72 runs, and Twyford House whose run rate secured their passage after losing to OB Westbury before trumping Bradley Stoke & Almondsbury by three wickets.
CLUBS return to Voneus Village Cup action on Sunday with Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation-affiliated clubs playing in four different groups.
Dumbleton, the 2022 champions and last year’s beaten finalists, entertain Bretforton in the Worcestershire pool while in Gloucestershire, it’s Marshfield against Kingsholm, Painswick entertain Cam and Rockhampton are home to Frampton-on-Severn with newcomers Bourton Vale already through to the last four.
Langford, meanwhile, will welcome Cumnor in the Oxfordshire group while finally, in Somerset & Avon, Stapleton travel to Timsbury.
WEPL newcomers Aston Ingham have been handed free passage by Brockhampton, in Herefordshire & Powys.
All games will start at 1pm.
GOLDEN Hill will be home to Hatherley & Reddings on Sunday in the ECB National Club Championship while Bishopston travel to Bashley and Bristol also hit the road, heading for St Cross Symondians (all 1pm starts).
OPENER Sally Phelps top scored on 66 and Anna Fitzgerald claimed 4-11 from four as Golden Hill defeated Cheltenham by 67 runs to reach the group quarter-finals in the Women’s Club Cup T20.
They will now be away to Pershore who edged Hatherley & Reddings by 13 runs.
KNOWLE will be home on Sunday (noon) against Downend in the delayed 2024 Bristol Midweek League T20 final.
THE 2024 Gloucestershire County Cup final, held over from last September, will take place on Sunday May 18 with Bristol hosting Frocester (1pm).