CHELTENHAM Civil Service held their nerve to complete their first win of the season in WEPL’s Gloucestershire division, holding off Stroud by three runs despite centuries from openers Ewan Gegg and Ollie Whiteley.
Gegg was first to three figures in the chase to reach a target of 280 before being dismissed for 105 from 130 (14 fours, three sixes) with the score on 192 while Whiteley (103 from 119, 14 fours) reached his third ton of the summer.
But Stroud were unable to close out the win, Will Fell claiming 4-64 including sending down a final over which cost only five runs to seal a three-run triumph.
George Leadbetter (83) had earlier top scored on 83 for Civil Service.
Leaders Tewkesbury emerged 66-run victors at Dumbleton, Randeera Ranasingha smashing 104 off only 56 (15 fours, two sixes) and opener James Whitmore 76.
Chipping Sodbury moved up to second with a 122-run home victory against Bourton Vale, Rohan Wijeratne, Jamie Wakefield and Jiwanjot Singh contributing half centuries and Ollie Louch taking 4-30.
It was tighter at Cirencester who edged Charlton Kings by one wicket, Ellis Sabbagh-Holt claiming 4-14 before sharing a crucial match-winning partnership with brother Louis.
Kings were rumbled for only 139 after winning the toss, opener Andy Downes top scoring on 39. And it appeared to be enough when Ciren in reply folded to 119-9, Jonny Hardman bagging 5-39 from ten.
But the Sabbagh-Holt brothers dug in and showed great composure to slowly chip away at their target, Ellis eventually hitting the winning single to finish on two from 36 deliveries faced while Ellis compiled 21 from 38 balls.
Gloucester, meanwhile, were bowled out for 112 before succumbing by eight wickets at Frocester 2nds.
Hatherley & Reddings overcame Premier Two Glos/Wilts leaders Thornbury by 53 runs, opener Lesego Senokwane dominating with a superb 131 from 120 (19 fours) and captain Tom Hage hitting 67.
Cheltenham slipped up by 126 runs at home to Burbage & Easton Royal, Painswick lost by 65 runs at Corsham and Corse & Staunton were 30 runs short at Royal Wootton Bassett.
In Premier One, Finn Starkey put Bristol on course for a five-wicket success at Potterne with a return of 4-22 from ten while Frocester lost by three wickets at Taunton St Andrews and Bedminster scrambled a tie away to champions Bath.
Golden Hill are back on top of Premier Two Bristol/Somerset after a 76-run triumph away to neighbours and previous pacesetters Bishopston.
Skipper Daz Ahmed’s 104 from 112 (15 fours, one six) propelled Golden Hill to a total of 276-8 ahead of Bish being rumbled by a fine team effort in the field.
Downend suffered a 256-run pounding at home to Clevedon, Jordan Garrett top scoring on 81.
Promoted Frenchay suffered an agonising one-run reverse away to leaders Congresbury in Bristol & North Somerset despite the considerable efforts of Rishabh Singh.
The all-rounder claimed an all-bowled hat-trick on the way to figures of 5-29 from eight as Congresbury folded from 184-5 to 184 all out, losing their last five wickets in five successive balls.
Singh followed up with a patient 44 but Congresbury held their nerve at the end to pinch the spoils.
Captain Chris Munden led from the front with 115 from 111 (13 fours, three sixes) in Brislington’s 42-run home win against Twyford House while Bristol West Indian Phoenix made it four in a row with a 153-run victory away to Bristol 2nds, opener Raj Chudasama unbeaten on 94 and Jack Baber hitting 70 ahead of following up with a haul of 5-38 from ten.
Bedminster 2nds saw off Knowle by six wickets and Winterbourne lost by three wickets at home to Bath 2nds.