GLOUCESTER made the most of a break in the weather to complete a seven-wicket success at Painswick and close the gap on the top two sides in the WEPL’s Gloucestershire division.
Scott Davies (3-7 from three) helped restrict the home side to a challenge of 152 before Dan Brabham (40 not) and opener Jack Whiting (40) ensured the win with almost eight overs to spare.
Elsewhere, it was a day of frustration for many sides, including leaders Corse & Staunton and closest rivals Cirencester.
Ciren had reached 117-4 off 20 overs when the rain rolled in and Corse were set a target of 146 for the spoils. The home side were on the back foot at 30-5 in the eighth when the weather had the final word, Jock Jamieson-Black trudging off with fine figures of 3-9 from 11 balls.
With three rounds of games to go, Corse have a 17-point advantage over Ciren who are 10 clear of Gloucester.
Results were few and far between elsewhere for Gloucestershire-based clubs though the weather cleared long enough for Hatherley & Reddings to trump Dumbleton by five wickets in Premier Two Glos/Wilts.
Lowly Dumbleton were bowled out for 89 ahead of James Harber’s unbeaten 43 seeing the home side over the line.
Thornbury, hoping to celebrate their 150th anniversary season with promotion, are still in with a chance despite being unable to achieve a result away to Biddestone.
The Wiltshire side had reached 197-7 in the 40th over when the players were forced from the field and play eventually abandoned.
But any frustration on the part of third-placed Thornbury was balanced out by the news that the top two of Corsham and Goatacre had both lost, to Burbage & Easton Royal and Stroud, respectively.
Corsham stay top in the battle for the one promotion place but are now only 13 points clear of Thornbury – who they visit on Saturday in a potentially crucial clash – while Goatacre dropped a slot to third.