LUKE Woolway hammered a career-best 200 and followed up with two crucial wickets as Painswick held on for a six-run win away to Goatacre in WEPL Premier Two Glos/Wilts.
The visitors, who lost two early wickets after winning the toss, recovered superbly as Woolway and Alastair Conolly (74) went on to share a fourth wicket stand of 208.
Woolway was eventually held after facing 151 balls (18 fours, 11 sixes) in a total of 345-8 which proved to be just enough in a thrilling finish which went right down to the wire.
Goatacre also enjoyed the conditions to stay in the fight despite the efforts of Matt Conolly (3-45 from ten) as David Miles crunched 124.
But he fell to Woolway as Painswick held their nerve at the end to close out the win and stay sixth.
Leaders Dumbleton also lost, by four wickets away to struggling Purton, but retain an 11-point lead with two rounds of games to go.
Next up for Dumbleton is a trip to Tewkesbury who suffered a 122-run reverse at Cheltenham for whom skipper Josh Breed (3-28) played a crucial role. There was also defeat for Hatherley & Reddings who succumbed by 85 runs at Corsham.
Thornbury’s Robbie O’Donnell, meanwhile, plundered the highest individual score this summer in WEPL – an unbeaten 207 – but still finished on the losing side as Bedminster completed a tremendous four-wicket Premier One victory.
The New Zealander faced 152 balls, striking 25 fours and eight sixes, to dominate a challenge of 318-7 which Bedminster chased down with seven balls to spare to stay second.
Bristol are all but safe after trumping Bath by four wickets, Jake Carstens claiming 4-41, but Downend have it all to do if they are to avoid relegation after a four-wicket home setback against Burbage & Easton Royal.
Frocester, meanwhile, moved a big step closer towards safety with a seven-wicket home win against bottom side Taunton St Andrews, captain Will Naish leading from the front with an unbeaten 109 from 111 (12 fours, six sixes).
Golden Hill slipped to fifth in Premier Two Bristol/Somerset with a seven-wicket defeat at OB Westbury while struggling Bishopston were rushed out for 69 and a nine-wicket home thumping against Lansdown.
Chipping Sodbury had to battle for a 13-run victory at Stroud to stay top of the Gloucestershire division and now prepare to host second-placed Bourton Vale who saw off Charlton Kings by four wickets, Musa Twala unbeaten on 103 from 151 (15 fours, one six).
Opener Nic Merrin (178) and Anthony James (109) powered Aston Ingham to a total of 387-5 at home to relegated Thornbury 2nds who folded to 100 all out.
And Gloucester moved up a place to eighth with a six-wicket home defeat of Langford who were skittled for 88 by Raju Devandran (6-28) while Hawkesbury Upton saw off Frocester 2nds by six wickets, Kudzai Maunze unbeaten on 65.
Only four points separate the top three sides in the battle for the one promotion place from Bristol & North Somerset with two rounds of matches remaining.
Bristol West Indian Phoenix began the day third but ended it top following an 85-run victory away to fellow high flyers Brislington who are now third.
And Twyford House who were in pole position, find themselves second after falling by 92 runs at Knowle.
It’s also very tight at the other end of the table where it’s very likely that three sides will this year be relegated.
Bristol 2nds (149) are anchored to the bottom following a six wicket defeat at Frenchay.
And a fifth successive loss means Pak Bristolians (158) stay ninth after suffering a last over three wicket reverse away to Bedminster 2nds (182) who, in the process, moved up a place to seventh.
Bradley Stoke & Almondsbury (175) are now in danger in eighth place after Bristol Pakistanis made it five in a row with a six-wicket home triumph.
Image courtesy Brian Rossiter