TEWKESBURY opened up a 14-point lead at the top of WEPL’s Gloucestershire division with a convincing 55-run victory away to nearest rivals Gloucester.
Something had to give with both sides coming into the game with 100 per cent records, and it was Tewkesbury who marched on thanks to strong displays with bat and then ball.
Randeera Ranasingha, batting at eight, gave the visitors’ innings a late boost with an unbeaten 69 from 58 (10 fours, one six) to help lift the total to 249 all out after Luke Whitmore had earlier struck 53, Ben Johnston and John Barlow both taking four wickets.
Gloucester, in reply, were in contention at 163-5 only for the innings to fade away, Tom Stevens finishing with 4-38 from ten.
Bourton Vale cruised past Stroud by ten wickets, Ollie Whiteley hitting 89 against his former club and Mark Whitney 87 while third-placed Charlton Kings edged promoted Langford by 23 runs.
Chipping Sodbury and Rockhampton both opened their accounts, trumping Frocester 2nds and Corse & Staunton, respectively.
In Premier Two Glos & Wilts, unbeaten leaders Thornbury marched on with a four-wicket success at Goatacre while promoted Dumbleton are up to third following a 250-run home pounding of Cheltenham which featured 112 from Tom Kelly before Ollie Horne (6-21 from nine) and Ross Martin (3-29 from eight) struck with the ball.
Painswick remain second following a 55-run home win against Hatherley & Reddings, Luke Woolway top scoring on 69 and Paul Conolly capturing 5-35 from ten.
Max Tryfonos was central to Bedminster’s first win in Premier One, cracking 142 and taking 5-52 to ensure a 76-run victory at Taunton St Andrews while Bristol continued their impressive start with a 143-run success at Bridgwater, opener Nic Halstead Cleak cracking 106 and Kiwi Curtis Heaphy 101.
Bishopston slipped to a 19-run home reverse against Lansdown despite Gus McKenzie’s 96 and 68 from Josh Slade, and Frocester came up 64 runs short at home to newcomers Burbage & Easton Royal.
The top of the table clash in Premier Two Bristol/Somerset went the way of Golden Hill, by 16 runs, but Downend remain top with their lead reduced to three points.
Key performers for Golden Hill were Zaman Shafi with 59 and skipper Daz Ahmed who returned 4-30 from ten.
Knowle made it four from four at the top of Bristol & North Somerset, romping past neighbours Brislington by ten wickets. Andrew Rasemene set the tone with a burst of 5-21 before opening pair Mark Coombes (75) and Jake Luffman (62) took charge.
OB Westbury were also ten wicket winners, at home to Bath 2nds with Ben Jarman (79) and Ross Whyte (78) steering their side to the spoils.
Bristol West Indian Phoenix bowled out Stapleton for 73 en route to a nine-wicket pounding, Bristol 2nds edged Twyford House by 103 runs and Bradley Stoke continued their strong start with a five-wicket success away to Bedminster 2nds, Ash Baber banking 4-20 from ten.