KINGSHOLM batters hit their straps in style with three players scoring centuries in the latest round of AMS Gloucestershire County League matches.
Openers Shaun Uthup (123) and Pavel Sharma (100 not) made the most of skipper Dan Adcock winning the toss at home for the 2nds in Division Five against Minchinhampton, piling up a total of 266-2 to pave the way for a 122-run victory.
And it was a good day too for the first XI in Division One, James Boon cracking 104 in a total of 243-6 away to Great Rissington who finished 36 runs short to hand Kingsholm a welcome first victory of the campaign.
Leaders Hawkesbury Upton marched on with an eight-wicket pounding of Cirencester, Matt Beamish claiming 3-15 from nine while closest rivals Thornbury 2nds overcame Lydney by 36 runs.
Jack O’Connell finished with fine figures of 5-32 from nine as Thornbury were dismissed for 153 but the home side’s attack then had the final word, all six bowlers used claiming wickets, led by Ruben Pieterse (3-35).
Poulton inflicted a first defeat on Tetbury, who started the day top of Division Two, allowing Cheltenham 2nds to grab pole position courtesy of a 105-run hammering of Cam, Amith James capturing 4-12 from six.
And skipper Jack Brixey’s 88 was a highlight of Tewkesbury 2nds’ 116-run home triumph against Apperley.
Gordon Wint’s unbeaten 87 guided Dymock to a last over four-wicket home win over Chipping Sodbury 2nds in Division Three.
And back in Division Five, captain Tiaan Theron led from the front with an unbeaten 129 at the top of the order for Sheepscombe who went on to brush past Parkend by 121 runs.
Three wickets apiece for Harsha Songa and Rajesh Gopireddy put Division Six pacesetters Arcadian Nine Elms on course for a six-wicket home success over Gloucester 2nds.
Ben Lane top scored with 61 for Cam 2nds, the Division Seven leaders who marched on with a six wicket home triumph over their Painswick counterparts, and Tetbury 2nds remain second following a 67-run home victory against Oaksey that featured a half century from opener Martin Smith, Jamie Ponting following up with a haul of 4-28 from eight while Tom Selwood then claimed 3-2 from seven balls.