DUNCAN Bent finished unbeaten on a record breaking 175 for Stroud 2nds but still finished on the losing side as their Charlton Kings counterparts closed out a 52-run victory in Division Four of the Gloucestershire Cricket League.
The opener faced 113 balls and hit 15 fours and nine sixes to beat the previous personal highest score for his club’s second XI, set 50 years ago by J Franklin.
Yet despite his valiant effort, Kings still prevailed to make it five from five at the top of the table after earlier piling up an imposing 332-7 from their 40 after winning the toss, Chris Burrow (86) and opener Andy Downes (81) leading the way.
It was a day to remember too for captain Rob Birch who smashed 176 (20 fours, 11 sixes) for Apperley 3rds who held off their Arcadian Nine Elms counterparts by ten runs in Division Nine C.
Prince Thekkethil top scored on 80 in the visitors reply while there were also half centuries from skipper Benny Koshy and Jomon George.
Huntley were set a target of 209 away to Bream in Division Seven A, and got there with plenty to spare thanks to opener Alastair Bressington’s unbeaten 142 from 95 (20 fours, four sixes).
Division One pacesetters Corse & Staunton saw off Redmarley by 96 runs, Matt Brown capturing 4-18 from nine while Cheltenham 2nds and Tetbury tied in a thrilling finish.
Tetbury totalled 225-8 after winning the toss, Sam Price hitting 72 and captain Alex Evans an unbeaten 53.
Thiwanka Kekulawala responded with 91 from 81 to put the home side in the driving seat before falling to James Job who then kept his nerve in the final over which incredibly went for only one run as three wickets fell.
No runs were scored from the first two balls of the over before the next two deliveries produced two run outs. As the tension ratcheted up even further, a leg bye then tied the scores before Job held a return catch off the final ball to ensure the points were shared in the most dramatic way imaginable.
Dumbleton 2nds made it five from five in Division Two, easing past Poulton by 166 runs, George Garratt finishing with 5-35 from nine.
And Cam opened their account with an 86-run home triumph over Westbury-on-Severn, Dane Hall top scoring on 93.
Lee Hodson carried his bat for Hawkesbury Upton 3rds, finishing on 109 from 104 (18 fours, one six) in a Division Nine E clash, Murray Rowlands grabbing 6-28 from eight for visiting Cam 3rds who then came up 62 runs short.
And in Division Nine D, Will Tidmarsh grabbed 5-13 from six overs as Charlton trumped Central Hall by six wickets.
