DAN Lambert dug in to hit an unbeaten 46 and help struggling Stapleton to a potentially crucial three-wicket home victory over Winterbourne in the Senior Division of the Martin Berrill Sports Bristol & District League.
The visitors appeared to be in charge after reducing Stapleton to 140-7 as they defended their all out total of 182.
But Lambert stood tall as wickets fell around him, taking the fight to Winterbourne, who started the day third, before sealing the win with a series of boundaries.
Stapleton remain bottom after completing only their second victory since being relegated out of WEPL but have closed the gap on their rivals with just one more round of games to go before the season reaches its mid point.
Downend 2nds lost ground on leaders Bath 2nds with a 55-run reverse at Coalpit Heath for whom Jack Kewley hit 86.
Division Oner leaders Timsbury dismissed Hambrook for 97 before easing in by five wickets while at the other end of the table, bottom placed Bristol West Indian Phoenix 2nds were trumped by four runs at home to Whitchurch.
Shirehampton, the Division Two leaders, dismissed Frampton Cotterell for 114, Lewis Mason and Charlie Weare grabbing four wickets apiece before completing a nine wicket triumph.
Josh Ball’s unbeaten 107 from 104 (16 fours, one six) laid the foundations for Long Ashton to overcome Bitton by 125 runs in Division Three, Callum Powell also playing a key role in the win with a haul of 6-32 from eight.
And another bowler in form was Gopa Kumar Ravi who took 6-27 from seven for Bradley Stoke & Almondsbury 2nds but could not prevent a 140-run home reverse against leaders Bedminster 3rds whose top scorer was Dan Brussow with 87.
Bristol Sri Lankans, the unbeaten Division Four leaders, had to work hard for a ten-run success away to Barrow Gurney.
Captain Lahiru Perera (83) and Thiyanan Jeganathan (54) dominated their side’s total of 206 before Roshan Warnakulasuruya (3-31) and Deepal Dewage (3-34) helped complete the win.
Jack Spicer’s burst of 5-24 from seven helped take Division Five pacesetters Golden Hill 3rds to a 103-run success away to their Bradley Stoke & Almondsbury counterparts.
And Ankit Sharma smashed 113 from 96 (16 fours, two sixes) for Bristol Eagles who marched on with a 32-run victory away to Golden Hill 4ths to remain top of Division Six.
Ned Vessey was unbeaten on 53 as he helped guide Bishopston 3rds to a four-wicket triumph away to Hambrook 2nds, Louis Watts earlier finishing with 4-43, as their side remained clear at the top of Division Seven North.