GLOUCESTER produced a magnificent recovery from the depths of despair at 19-5 to eventually beat Stroud by 12 runs to remain second in WEPL’s Gloucestershire division.
Sam Hewitt’s side were soon in desperate straits after losing the toss as Angus and Ewan Gegg made a series of breakthroughs.
But Rob Wigley (34 off 67) and Jack Cowles (29 from 55) dug in to drag their side up to a total of 106.
And, incredibly, it proved to be enough as Craig Collinson (5-32), Ben Johnston (3-19) and Jack Cowles (2-4 from five) combined in style to secure a victory that appeared unlikely only several hours before.
Earlier, Angus Gegg bagged 4-30 from ten and Ewan Gegg (3-11 from eight).
Leaders Tewkesbury made it five from five with a seven wicket home success against Frocester 2nds, Tom Stevens (3-13 from ten) and captain Tom Allcoat (3-24) both shining.
James William (90) and in-form captain Benny Ellis (83) along with Elliot Hayward (5-20 from ten) dominated Charlton Kings’ 137-run home triumph against Rockhampton while Bourton Vale were six-wicket victors at Corse & Staunton.
Chipping Sodbury, needing 173 for the win at home to Langford, rallied from 65-7 thanks to Jamie Wakefield’s fourth successive half century after 15-year-old Henry Rendell had earlier bagged career-best figures of 5-10 from 4.4.
Thornbury, the Premier Two Glos/Wilts leaders, brushed past Avebury by 122 runs while second placed Dumbleton made it four in a row with a six wicket success at Hatherley & Reddings.
Painswick came unstuck by one wicket at Chippenham while Cheltenham were 60-run home victors over Royal Wootton Bassett, Worcestershire’s Gareth Roderick cracking 75.
No 11 Finn Starkey, meanwhile, smashed the last ball of the match for a legside six to give Bristol a nerve-tingling home one-wicket win over Taunton St Andrews in Premier One.
Bishopston edged cross-town rivals Bedminster by three wickets, Gus McKenzie unbeaten on 68, while Frocester went down by 111 runs at home to champions Bath.
Downend, leaders of Premier Two Bristol/Somerset, saw off Keynsham by 85 runs while second placed Golden Hill made it four in a row with an 87-run thumping of Ilminster, Gloucestershire’s Ed Middleton (4-20 from ten) and Jacob Stevenson (4-24 from 8.1) starring.
Knowle stretched their 100 per cent record in Bristol & North Somerset to five outings with a 130-run victory away to Stapleton while promoted OB Westbury made it four in a row with a 47-run success at Twyford House, Connor Crane top scoring on 90.
Bedminster 2nds clinched their first win of the campaign, holding off Brislington by one run, Bristol 2nds edged Bradley Stoke by four wickets and Bristol West Indian Phoenix saw off Bath 2nds by three wickets, captain Ashur Morrison unbeaten on 77.