FROCESTER wriggled out of Premier One relegation trouble with a tense victory away to fellow strugglers Bishopston on a drama-packed final day of the WEPL season.
The village club went into their last match of the campaign knowing that two results had to go their way if they were to survive after spending the majority of the season stuck to the bottom of the table.
Part one went to plan after dismissing Bishopston for 86 and then clinching a three-wicket triumph which condemned the Bristol side to the drop.
Wimma Perera bagged 4-20 from seven and followed up with a vital unbeaten 21 while there was also a fine return of 4-16 from ten by Richie Cave.
Frocester also had to depend on Lansdown, who started the day safe in eighth place, losing at home to Bristol who went on to close out a 26-run victory, Nic Halstead Cleak top scoring with an unbeaten 149 and Gloucestershire’s James Bracey compiling a third century in three outings before he was held for 113.
It was just as tight at the top of the table with Potterne emerging as the table-toppers, finishing two points clear of Bridgwater and four ahead of Bedminster who condemned Bath to a fourth place finish with a seven-wicket win at The Clanage.
Thornbury, the Premier Two Glos/Wilts champions, suffered a first league defeat of the summer, sliding to a 29-run home reverse against Painswick, for whom captain Jack Hobbis claimed 4-46 to ensure fifth place.
Dumbleton finished fourth following a six wicket home triumph against Chippenham, Tommy Boorman marking his return to the side with 104.
Hatherley & Reddings grabbed sixth with a 196-run away caning of relegated Avebury, Ben McShane producing one of the spells of the day to bag 7-17 from seven, while Cheltenham lost a last over thriller at home to Corsham by one wicket.
Premier Two Bristol/Somerset champions Downend lost by four wickets at home to Weston-super-Mare, but Golden Hill ensured a second successive runners-up finish thanks to a five wicket home triumph against relegated Wellington.
Gloucestershire division champions Tewkesbury overcame Corse & Staunton by 44 runs, Tom Stevens finishing with a tremendous spell of 6-11 from six overs, while Gloucester came third courtesy of a three wicket home defeat of runners up Chipping Sodbury, John Barlow finishing with 4-9 from five.
Charlton Kings tied up third place with a three wicket victory at Bourton Vale, Frocester 2nds edged relegated Rockhampton by 11 runs and Stroud were two-wicket home victors over Langford.
In Bristol & North Somerset, champions OB Westbury trumped relegated Stapleton by two wickets while Knowle finished second despite a five wicket setback at Twyford House.
Bristol West Indian Phoenix lost by 92 runs at home to Bedminster 2nds, Bradley Stoke slipped up by 93 runs away to Bath 2nds and Bristol 2nds ended on a winning note, defeating Brislington by six wickets with Graham Herring top scoring on 104.