BISHOPSTON are finding their feet nicely after promotion for the first time to WEPL’s Premier Division, as evidenced by a comfortable seven-wicket home triumph over local rivals Bristol.
This was a third win in six outings for Dave O’Brien’s side and lifts Bish to sixth place on the back of another excellent team effort led by New Zealander Gus McKenzie.
The 25-year-old all-rounder began the day with fine figures of 5-22 from 9.4 as Bristol were restricted to 213 after winning the toss, fellow countryman Curtis Heaphy top scoring on 103.
And McKenzie then played a key supporting role with the bat, finishing unbeaten on 63 after opener Tristan Jungbauer had compiled his second century of the summer before being dismissed for exactly 100.
Bedminster moved off the bottom and up to seventh thanks to a six-wicket triumph away to high-flying Burbage & Easton Royal but Frocester lost for the fifth time in a row, succumbing to a seven wicket reverse at Bridgwater.
Thornbury, the Premier Two Glos/Wilts leaders, breezed past Cheltenham by seven wickets, Jack Worgan capturing 5-20 from 10, while Dumbleton lost ground with a 24-run home defeat against Corsham despite Tom Kelly’s 123 off 94 (19 fours, one six).
Hatherley & Reddings were 97-run victors at Royal Wootton Bassett, CP Rizwaan top scoring on 102 from 75 (seven fours, seven sixes) and Tom Hage claiming 4-47, but Painswick were edged out by six wickets at home to Goatacre.
Omar Randhawa thumped 133 off 121 for Premier Two Bristol/Somerset leaders Downend to pave the way for a 117-run home success over Wellington, veteran Matt Jackson finishing with 5-59.
Golden Hill lost ground, collapsing from 54-1 to 73 all out and a 70-run setback away to Midsomer Norton.
Tewkesbury’s first XI, back at Gander Lane for the first time this season because of flooding issues, made it six from six with a five-wicket home victory over Charlton Kings who were bowled out for 102, Randeera Ranasingha shining with 4-22 from eight.
Gloucester romped in by nine wickets at home to Corse & Staunton who were skittled for 100, Tom Morris the hero with a return of 5-26 from ten.
Chipping Sodbury are up to third following a 27-run victory at Rockhampton, Tom Stevens took 3-8 from ten and followed up with an unbeaten 49 in promoted Langford’s six wicket win at Bourton Vale, and Stroud dispatched Frocester 2nds by 158 runs.
Knowle, the leaders of Bristol & North Somerset, made it six from six with a 151-run defeat of Bristol 2nds, Mark Coombes top scoring on 90 while promoted OB Westbury remain second following a 58-run home victory against Bradley Stoke.
Brislington lost away to Bath 2nds, Bedminster 2nds romped past win-less Stapleton by eight wickets with Shay Sainsbury unbeaten on 117 off 75 (21 fours, two sixes) and Twyford House were 103-run victors at Bristol West Indian Phoenix.