ANTHONY McLaughlin plundered an unbeaten 175 off just 112 balls for Charlton Kings 2nds but still finished on the losing side as Stroud 2nds held on for a memorable one-run victory in Division Five of the AMS Gloucestershire County League.
McLaughlin finished with 19 fours and ten sixes to his credit yet it was not quite enough to get his side over the line after Stroud had earlier piled up 307-5 from their 40 after winning the toss, Paul Frape dominating their innings with an unbeaten 138.
Liberty Maher’s unbeaten 115 and Jaimie Waring’s return of 4-39 were the highlights of Minchinhampton’s 113-run success at witcombe.
Craig Stow, meanwhile, was another batter in form with an unbeaten153 for high flying Redmarley which helped pave the way for a 60-run win away to Rockhampton 2nds in Division Two.
Stow smashed 19 fours and five sixes while Charlie Ayland weighed in with 48 to help their side reach 278-3 ahead of the Rams being restricted to a reply of 218-8.
Francis Bradley’s haul of 6-37 helped secure a 65-run home triumph for Langford over Cinderford St John.
In Division One, opener Anthony James powered his way to 136 off 124 (18 fours, six sixes) for Aston Ingham in a challenge of 223-9 which was successfully chased by Westbury-on-Severn for the loss of six wickets.
Leaders Chipping Sodbury made it eight from eight after defeating Cheltenham 2nds by five wickets, Eddie Holden returning career-best figures of 5-32.
Sam Bradford’s devastating spell of 6-33 helped set up Cheltenham Civil Service 2nds’ seven-wicket home success over Churchdown in Division Four where Alex Kill (114) top scored for Cricklade who dispatched Oldlands by 123 runs.
One of the bowling displays of the day came in Division Three where Joe Tutty bagged 6-19 from eight for Hatherley & Reddings 2nds who trumped Woodpeckers by 108 runs.
And in Division Seven, Sunith Bose’s spell of 6-49 from eight ensured an 11-run home win for Tormarton over second placed Down Hatherley, opener Martyn Leeworthy earlier hitting 103.
Arcadians Nine Elms took advantage of this result to stretch their lead at the top with a four-wicket success away to Painswick 2nds, Saviyo Selastian taking 4-28 from eight and Mansoor Attar unbeaten on 49.
Division Six pacesetters Quedgeley & Hardwicke extended their 100 per cent record to eight outings with a seven-wicket success at Stone.