TOM Mathew smashed 170 off just 96 balls for pacesetters Bristol Aces who raced past Knowle 3rds by 276 runs in Division Six of the Martin Berrill Sports Bristol & District League.
The opener cracked 21 fours and nine sixes as his side reached 395-7 from their 40 overs, Mithan Murali Girija adding 54. And Knowle then finished well adrift as Sanka Krishnamorthy (4-29) and Bibek Ray (3-6) both struck.
Another opener in form was Chris Hull who reached 150 not out for Patchway who edged neighbours Almondsbury by 20 runs. Hull’s innings included 14 fours and 11 sixes, and although Jeremy Bourke led the home side’s response with 101, the innings proved to be in vain for Almondsbury.
The leading two sides in the Senior Division both suffered defeats. Matt Croker (93) and Dom Hooper (81 not) spurred Claverham to a seven-wicket win at leaders Frenchay while Bristol West Indian Phoenix went down by 17 runs at Timsbury.
It was even closer at third-placed Stapleton who overcame bottom side Winterbourne by one wicket. Ghulam Shabbir (4-21) was the leading bowler as Winterbourne were dismissed for 114, and it was almost enough as Stapleton folded from 86-4 before getting over the line by the narrowest of margins.
Coalpit Heath, meanwhile, made it three in a row with a six-wicket victory at Pak Bristolians, opener Chris Cooke hitting a dogged 59.
The leading two teams in Division One also lost. Leaders Clevedon 2nds suffered a six wicket setback away to their Downend counterparts, veteran Phil Jackson producing a burst of 4-14. And second placed Bristol Pakistanis slipped up by 110 runs at Lodway.
Division Two leaders Hambrook had their lead reduced with a 28-run home reverse against Portishead while George Wilshire (69) and opener Ollie Fowler (56) were to the fore for Division Three leaders Bitton who won by five wickets at Frampton Cotterell.
Abdul Waqas smashed 157 as Bristol Asians were all out for 281 in Division Nine way to Downend 3rds who still managed to record a seven-wicket win with eight balls to spare, Richard Ratnasingham unbeaten on 86.