GOLDEN Hill put the seal on a season to remember by completing a 148-run victory over Knowle in the final of the Stuart Canvas Gloucestershire Cup at the Bristol County Ground.
Five Golden Hill sides this summer clinched league promotions – including four as champions – and the first XI followed up their success in WEPL’s Bristol & North Somerset division with a first-ever county cup triumph in front of an excellent crowd.
This latest win was based on another strong all-round performance with openers Daz Ahmed and Cyrus Shafi putting down fine foundations thanks to a partnership of 124.
Shafi was first to fall, for a patient 34, with Ahmed following soon after for a fine 73 off 65 (11 fours), before spinner Curtis Blakemore hauled Knowle back into contention with a return of 5-62 from eight overs, his victims including Josh Beal (26) and skipper Harry Thomas (24).
There was still time though for former captain John Colley to enjoy himself with 35 off just 16 balls, including one four and three sixes, as Golden Hill eventually reached 263-9 off their 45 overs, Jack Millard finishing with 2-44 while George Brimble and Habib Naqvi both captured 1-34 from nine.
Knowle’s hopes of an upset win were soon in tatters though as Tayyab Riaz ran through their top order with a devastating spell of 3-17 from six overs.
Ahmed (1-4 from five) also gave nothing away with the new ball while James Norris (2-21) kept the heat on as Knowle faded to 28-6.
Captain Ollie Haynes, though, stood firm at the other end with a defiant 75 from 80 (seven fours, three sixes) before falling to Shafi (3-18 from 4.5 overs) as Knowle were finally dismissed for 115, bringing down the curtain on the senior competitive season.