THREE wickets apiece from Zachary Aulakh and Ed Goolden paved the way for Corse & Staunton to trump Painswick by four wickets and leapfrog their rivals to go top of the WEPL’s Gloucestershire division.
Painswick were rumbled for 101 after winning the toss before opener Matt Cox (40) then ensured a fourth successive win for Corse in this extremely tight competition.
Rockhampton edged up to second thanks to a 70-run derby victory away to Thornbury 2nds, Jamie Wakefield unbeaten on 80, while Gloucester are now third following a 36-run home triumph against Cheltenham Civil Service.
Scott Montgomery’s 105, 69 from opener Aubrey Towler and a half century by Dan Brabham powered Gloucester to 272-4, Adrian Mayes (72) top scoring in the visitors’ reply.
In Premier One, Bedminster romped in by 145 runs away to lowly Taunton Deane who were bowled out for only 35.
The home side had no answers to the accuracy of Gloucestershire spinner Tom Smith who finished with figures of 4-6 from five after Sai Kamuni (4-16 from nine) had earlier made inroads.
It was a good day all round for Smith who top scored on 41 from 67 for Bedminster who, after losing the toss, compiled a challenge of 180-9.
Opener Steve Snell (31) and captain George Drissell (21) were the only major contributors as Aman Rao took 3-38.
Bath were six-wicket home victors against Cheltenham while Downend’s home clash against Bridgwater was a covid-related casualty.
Thornbury remain third in Premier Two Glos/Wilts following a 45-run success away to Marshfield.
Captain Marc Lezar (69) and Josh Slade (63) dominated Thornbury’s total of 205-6 after winning the toss. And the combined efforts of Harry Wormwell (3-24), Dan Lezar (2-15) and Alex Foulner (2-29) then ensured victory.
Frocester slipped up by seven wickets at home to Corsham while Dumbleton lost by 35 runs at home to Burbage & Easton Royal.
Lowly Winterbourne held their nerve for a one-run confidence-boosting home victory against Weston-super-Mare in Premier Two Bristol/Somerset.
The South Gloucestershire side were dismissed for only 89 but it proved to be just enough, Ahmed Tabraiz (4-17) and Nick Crane (3-23) the stars.
At the other end of the table, unbeaten leaders Bristol overcame Bishopston by 67 runs.
Opener Nic Halstead-Cleak’s 85 was the highlight of Bristol’s challenge of 198-7, Will Thirkell and Dan Harris bagging two wickets apieces.
In reply, Bish were in good shape at 95-3 but slipped to 131 all out against the threat of Ash Joyner (3-29) while there were also two wickets apiece for Tommy Probert, Louie Shaw and Miles Kantolinna.
Brislington made it five in a row in Bristol & North Somerset, trumping Old Bristolians Westbury by 86 runs.
Leaders Golden Hill were five-wicket victors at Keynsham and second-placed Twyford House eased in by three wickets at Knowle, opener Alec Bosomworth top scoring on 39.
Congresbury edged bottom side Stapleton by four wickets, and Bristol 2nds were five-wicket winners at Bristol West Indian Phoenix.