EWAN Gegg produced a memorable all-round performance for Stroud, finishing unbeaten on 166 and bagging three crucial wickets, in a tense 16-run victory at Charlton Kings in WEPL’s Gloucestershire division.
The opener dominated his side’s challenge of 295-6, facing 163 balls and hitting 13 fours and nine sixes in a club record knock, while there was also a quick-fire 60 from brother Callum.
Kings, who won the toss, were on the back foot in reply at 61-3 before Benny Ellis took charge with a fine innings only to be denied a well deserved century when he was held by Reuben Shehean off Ewan Gegg for 99.
Angus Gegg also weighed in with three wickets while there were two victims for Lewis Culver as Kings finished just short.
It was even tighter at Chipping Sodbury where Corse & Staunton sealed a two-wicket win with three balls to spare, Matt Cox top scoring on 69.
Promoted Langford came up 13 runs short at home to Frocester 2nds, opener James Cook thumping an unbeaten 130 from 149 (17 fours, four sixes) for the visitors after Will Parsons had earlier top scored on 106 and shared a second wicket stand of 192 with Liam Court (87) for the Oxfordshire outfit.
Ben Spyvee returned 5-52 for Frocester and Shafiq Maroofkhel 4-33.
Gloucester were 54-run victors at Bourton Vale, Craig Collinson capturing 4-27 from ten, and Tewkesbury romped in by 123 runs at Rockhampton, Josh Barnes top scoring with 100 from 78 (nine fours, five sixes).
Bristol, meanwhile, held their nerve for a three-run success at Frocester in Premier One, captain Louie Shaw contributing a crucial 79 and spinner Rishi Panchal bagging 4-12 from ten.
Promoted Bishopston saw off Taunton St Andrews by 60 runs, opener Tristan Jungbauer’s 111 from 109 (13 fours, four sixes) paving the way for the Bristol club’s first win while Bedminster succumbed by 55 runs at Potterne.
Painswick made it two from two in Premier Two Glos/Wilts with a two-wicket success at home to promoted Avebury, Jon Conolly and Jack Hobbis taking three wickets apiece while Reece Morris’ unbeaten 37 was equally vital.
New Zealander Robbie O’Donnell plundered 146 off 126 (20 fours, five sixes) for Thornbury who overwhelmed Corsham by 123 runs, and promoted Dumbleton opened their account with a six-wicket home win against Royal Wootton Bassett, Ross Martin claiming 5-43.
Cheltenham slipped up by eight wickets at Chippenham, and Goatacre trumped Hatherley & Reddings by 129 runs.
Downend made it two from two to go top of Premier Two Bristol/Somerset, Ollie Louch marking his return to the famous Bristol club with a haul of 4-29 from ten.
Opener Jack Penn produced a tremendous 155 from 150 (18 fours, five sixes) for Golden Hill in an 80-run success at Weston-super-Mare, Haseeb Noori following up with a superb burst of 6-33.
Promoted Bradley Stoke continued their fine start to life in Bristol & North Somerset with a 95-run victory at Stapleton, Shahzad Ahmad top scoring with 128 from 103 (15 fours, six sixes).
And also two from two are Knowle after Andy Rasemene (4-23) put the skids under Bristol West Indian Phoenix to pave the way for an eight-wicket success.
Twyford House are also setting the early pace thanks to a 24-run victory at Brislington which included 103 from skipper Richard Trotman (140 balls, 11 fours, two sixes).
OB Westbury edged local rivals Bristol 2nds by three wickets while Bedminster 2nds were defeated by 98 runs at home to their Bath counterparts.