TEWKESBURY extended their lead at the top of WEPL’s Gloucestershire division with a ten-wicket home pounding of Cirencester, Randeera Ranasingha leading the way with a return of 5-24 from ten.
Tom Allcoact (4-28, also from ten) kept the pressure on as Ciren buckled to 40-8 after winning the toss, recovering slightly to 74 all out.
Tewkesbury then needed only nine overs to race to their target and move 23 points clear at the halfway stage of the season.
Next up for Tewkesbury is a home date against nearest rivals Chipping Sodbury who edged their way to a two-wicket success away to lowly Cheltenham Civil Service.
Dumbleton, in third, were also ten-wicket victors, away to Charlton Kings who were rumbled for only 120, Aaron Tomson capturing 3-6 before Scott Tremain (55) and Finn Brabham (49) got the job done.
Frocester 2nds chased down a target of 263 at Bourton Vale with six wickets and 11 balls to spare, Alex Ireland (70), Mark Glew (69 not) and Matt Tuck (54) making an impact after home opener James Vlaeminck was earlier dismissed for 98.
And a stand of 125 between Craig Collinson (81 not) and Dan Brabham (58) ensured a four-wicket home success for Gloucester against Stroud.
Hatherley & Reddings are up to second in Premier Two Glos/Wilts following a four-wicket home derby triumph against Cheltenham.
Max Kelly took 3-24 from nine as Cheltenham were dismissed for 162 ahead of opener Lesego Senokwane (41) leading the chase.
There was a vital win for Corse & Staunton who squeezed in by two runs at home to fellow strugglers Marshfield.
Matt Cox (78) and Ed Goolden (66) put Corse on the front foot with an opening stand of 118 in their side’s challenge of 250-8 after losing the toss.
Marshfield chipped away at their target and appeared to be in control, going into the final over requiring just six to win with four wickets in hand.
But Goolden showed nerves of steel to close out the victory, grabbing two wickets and keeping the pressure on for a run out as the visitors came up just short, the all-rounder finishing with 3-54 from his ten.
Thornbury are back on top after a 210-run victory away to previous leaders Burbage & Easton Royal, Gloucestershire’s Chris Dent hammering 154 off 138 (2 fours, eight sixes) while there were three wickets each for Harry Donelan and Tiaan Louw.
Painswick remain seventh after a 105-run home reverse against Royal Wootton Bassett.
Frocester are up to fifth in Premier One following a 114-run home success against high-flying Bridgwater, opener Uzi Qureshi top scoring on 79 before Joe Wadham struck with a haul of 5-27 from ten.
Bristol were 46-run home victors against Chippenham while Bedminster lost by five wickets at home to Potterne.
Bishopston returned to pole position in Premier Two Bristol/Somerset, trumping Shapwick & Polden by six wickets while previous leaders Golden Hill slipped up by 41 runs at home to Weston-super-Mare.
And Downend are up to fourth following a six-wicket win at Ilminster which featured 130 from captain Callum Loud.
Promoted Bristol West Indian Phoenix, meanwhile, made it five wins in a row with a 146-run defeat of struggling Winterbourne in Bristol & North Somerset.
Bristol 2nds lost away to their Bath counterparts, Bedminster 2nds went down by 116 runs away to leaders Congresbury, Brislington emerged four-wicket victors in the derby at Knowle and Twyford House saw off Frenchay by 92 runs, captain Parik Shetty hitting 73 off 39 and Alex Wilson returning 4-51 from ten.