EASTCOMBE moved up two places to sixth thanks to a tremendous nine-wicket win away to drop zone rivals Hatherley & Reddings 3rds in Division Six of the AMS Gloucestershire County League.
The home side battled to total 92 in just under 25 overs after losing the toss, James Maxwell (3-18 from six) leading a disciplined bowling attack before opener Jer Perrins (51 not) saw his side to the points with plenty to spare.
This was the only game in this division to beat the wet weather with no starts possible in the remaining four scheduled contests. But four matches were possible in Division One, including Kingsholm inflicting a first defeat of the summer on leaders Chipping Sodbury.
Matt Cayless dug in for a crucial 35 off 50 in Kingsholm’s challenge of 127-9 off 32 after a delayed start, spinner Dan Brown capturing 4-32 from seven. Sodbury were then in good shape at 97-5 before folding to 113 all out, Luke Bond (3-20) and Cayless (2-13) making inroads.
Second placed Hawkesbury Upton saw off Poulton by 49 runs, Fletcher May top scoring on 62 not out before Sam Beeley and Tim Chancellor bagged three wickets apiece.
It was tighter at Cheltenham Civil Service who trumped Aston Ingham by seven runs, Richard Robinson (3-17) and James Smith (3-26) both shining. And Westbury-on-Severn eased in by six wickets at home to Thornbury 2nds, Charlie Gayther’s unbeaten 93 helping turn the tide.
Division Two leaders Lydney emerged 83-run home victors over Rockhampton 2nds, Alex Antoine taking 3-28, and Redmarley took advantage of Langford being washed out to overcome Cam by 42 runs and move up to second, Charlie Ayland top scoring on 68.
There were also two results in Division Three. Abdulhaque Chana’s spell of 5-17 from 3.5 helped dismiss Hatherley & Reddings 2nds for 149 only for Ullenwood Bharat to come up seven runs short, and Woodmancote defeated Woodpeckers by 51 runs.
Cricklade started the day top of Division Four, but despite defeating Chipping Sodbury 2nds by 22 runs, they now find themselves second, a point behind behind Dymock who were six-wicket home victors against Cranham, captain Andy Bevan unbeaten on 76.
Four wickets from Paul Fredericks helped Churchdown upset Corse & Staunton by 12 runs, and Sheepscombe were eight-wicket victors at Oldlands.
Witcombe ended their long search for a first win with a 21-run success at Cirencester 2nds in Division Five where leaders Kingsholm 2nds saw off Cheltenham 3rds by seven wickets.
And in Division Seven, leaders Arcadians Nine Elms marched on with an imposing nine-wicket home success over Chalford who were dismissed for 60, Ankit Raj and Saravanan Narayanan both taking four wickets.