BEN Hopkins produced a tremendous all-round performance to help Quedgeley & Hardwicke complete a 45-run triumph at home to Charlton Kings 2nds in Division Five of the AMS Gloucestershire County League.
The opener began a busy day by batting all 40 overs for an unbeaten 93 from 109, helping his side reach a total of 180-9 despite Ross Constantine’s spell of 6-50.
And Hopkins followed up with a burst of 4-19 from 6.3 overs to help close out the win and keep Quedgeley & Hardwicke top at this early stage.
Jordan Stone’s unbeaten 107 helped second-placed Lydney 2nds cruise in by eight wickets away to Oldlands while captain Ross Wakely’s 108 from 80 (17 fours, one six) saw Whitminster home by six wickets away to Birdlip & Brimpsfield.
One of the innings of the day came in Division Seven where Tom Coote hammered an unbeaten 140 for Hatherley & Reddings 3rds who dispatched Eldersfield by 145 runs.
And an unbroken stand of 167 between opener Jack Clement (93) and Paul Frape (70) saw King’s Stanley to a nine-wicket triumph at Langford 2nds.
Opener Andy Philips’ 101 was a highlight of Bourton Vale 2nds’ 60-run home success against Woodpeckers in Division Three where Ahmedi Saleh bagged 5-27 for eight in Gloucester AIW’s 67-run home defeat of Dymock.
In Division Two, Charlie Ayland’s 101 was in vain for Redmarley who went down by five wickets at Cam for whom Ryan Malpass (68), Jake Dolbear (58) and captain Alex Ballard (50 not) hit form.
Anir Sanat’s burst of 5-15 from seven put Thornbury 2nds on course for an eight-wicket home victory against Fairford while in Division Six, Jim Stuart finished with 5-22 for Down Hatherley who thumped Oaksey by 205 runs.
Captain Adrian Mayes compiled an unbeaten 123 as Cheltenham Civil Service 2nds chased down a target of 283 away to their Corse & Staunton counterparts in Division Four with four wickets and a ball to spare.
Rockhampton made it four in a row in Division One with an eight-wicket home victory against Aston Ingham, Tiger Sherred-Isles taking 4-19.
And second-placed Kingsholm kept the pressure on with a seven-wicket home win against Langford, captain Matt Cayless claiming 3-14 from seven.
Image courtesy Mike Starling