TEWKESBURY moved another step closer towards the title and promotion by closing out an eight-run victory away to Bourton Vale in WEPL’s Gloucestershire Division.
Opener Josh Barnes (64) and Randeera Ranasingha (53 not) lifted the visitors to a 50-over total of 221-7 with a rain break leading to Vale being set an adjusted target of 210 from 44.
And they came close to being only the second side to inflict a league defeat on Tewkesbury thanks to the efforts of opener Ollie Whiteley (78) and captain Darrel Williams (40) before Ranasingha followed up with 3-43 from six.
Next up is a home date on Saturday against closest rivals Gloucester who dispatched Frocester 2nds in a rain-hit clash by seven wickets, Tom Morris (4-48) and Craig Collinson (3-15 from nine) leading the charge.
Chipping Sodbury raced to a nine-wicket home win against Charlton Kings thanks to openers Rohan Wijeratne (85 not) and Tom Laver (55) while Langford squeezed out a one-wicket home success over Corse & Staunton.
Skipper Tim Dannatt’s 102 from just 63 (14 fours, three sixes) lifted Corse to 232 all out ahead of Liam Court (70) and Tom Stevens (65 not) getting the job done for Langford.
Stroud, meanwhile, were seven-wicket victors away to bottom side Rockhampton, brothers Callum and Angus Gegg taking three wickets apiece.
In Premier One, Bishopston boosted their hopes of staying up with a seven wicket home triumph over Burbage & Easton Royal, Parik Shetty unbeaten on 65.
Bottom side Frocester slipped up by five wickets at home to Potterne while Bristol were washed out at Bath.
Only one result was possible in Premier Two Bristol/Somerset and it saw leaders Downend extend their advantage courtesy of a seven-wicket home success against lowly Taunton Deane.
Matt Jackson bagged four wickets before Omar Randhawa (45) followed by a strong unbroken stand between Jordan Garrett (39) and Olly Sharp (37) got their side over the line.
Thornbury, the runaway leaders of Premier Two Glos/Wilts, were seven wicket winners at Royal Wootton Bassett, Anir Sanat (5-28) and Jack Worgan (3-24) paving the way while second-placed Dumbleton overcame Avebury by seven wickets.
It was a day of surprises in Bristol & North Somerset where promotion rivals Knowle and OB Westbury both lost.
Leaders Knowle slipped up by eight wickets at home to Bradley Stoke for whom opener Shahzad Ahmad (68) and Alfie Bradley (40 not) played key roles.
And second-placed OB Westbury went down by 31 runs at home to Bristol West Indian Phoenix, former captain Jack Baber cracking 49 while there were two wickets apiece for Ishtiaq Ishaq and Mahin Omar.
Bedminster 2nds made it four from their last five outings with a 44-run home triumph over Twyford House, Bailey Peacock top scoring on 89.
And Brislington were six-wicket winners away to bottom side Stapleton, opener Will Ollis unbeaten on 82 from 88.