SANTOSH Gopinath finished with memorable figures of 6-23 from 7.3 overs as Ullenwood Bharat dug deep for a 16-run victory away to promotion rivals Frampton-on-Severn in Division Three of the AMS Gloucestershire County League.
Frampton appeared to be in good shape at 144-4, chasing 194, but folded under pressure to 177 all out as Gopinath followed up two new ball strikes with a devastating second spell after he had earlier top scored on 43 for the visitors.
Leaders Fairford were eight-wicket victors at Woodmancote while Hatherley & Reddings 2nds moved up a place to second with a six-wicket success away to their Bourton Vale counterparts.
Woodpeckers boosted their hopes of avoiding the drop with a 54-run triumph away to Tetbury, opener Matt Stevens top scoring on 76.
Lydney are now 39 points clear at the top of Division Two following a six-wicket triumph away to Langford who started the day in second place. Callum Miller (3-14) was the pick of the attack as Langford wilted to 160 all out ahead of skipper Alex Gooding (44 not) leading the visitors to the spoils.
At the other end of the table, both the bottom two sides recorded wins. Rockhampton 2nds, in tenth, were 68-run victors at Newent, skipper Mark Beale top scoring on 91 while Shurdington romped in by 57 runs at Cam.
Chipping Campden, meanwhile, ended a six-week wait for a win by defeating Poulton by 53 runs, Josh Tamcken claiming 3-23 from nine. And Mike Teague took centre stage in Cheltenham Civil Service’s six-wicket win derby win at Cheltenham 2nds, finishing with fine figures of 6-26 from nine.
Division Four pacesetter Cricklade edged nearest rivals Dymock by 11 runs, Adam Robbins grabbing 4-19 from six. Opener Shaun Uthup cracked an unbeaten 123 for high-flying Kingsholm 2nds who breezed past Witcombe by 239 runs in Division Five.
And Quedgeley & Hardwicke, the last remaining unbeaten team in the league, were six wicket home victors in Division Six over Haresfield Gladiators, Sam Huggins not out on 76.
Cam 2nds are out of the bottom two in Division Seven thanks to a stunning eight-wicket win away to leaders Arcadians Nine Elms. Drew Holmes (3-30) led the charge as the home side were bowled out for only 93 ahead of Denis Booth (43 not) and opener Steve Rice (37 not) wrapping up the points.
Main image courtesy Mike Starling