CHRIS Fincher’s burst of 4-9 from eight overs put Eldersfield on course for a seven-wicket home win against Poulton 2nds in one of the few AMS Gloucestershire County League matches to overcome a frustrating day of wet weather.
Poulton were rushed out for 79, James Crenan weighing in with a haul of 3-5 from 15 balls. And opener Harvey Sagar then took charge of Eldersfield’s response with an unbeaten 44 as his side’s fourth win of the summer was clinched in the 17th over.
Only one other result was possible in this division, Hatherley & Reddings 3rds romping in by 103 runs against Stone.
Robin Smith (53 retired) top scored in Hatherley’s total of 223 before Mirza Mahmud grabbed 4-9 as Stone folded to 120 all out in reply.
Langford, meanwhile, are up to second in Division One courtesy of a five-wicket home success over Westbury-on-Severn, Jack Romanek bagging 4-17 from nine before Ollie Perks (40 not) and captain Harry Stevens (38) made crucial contributions with the bat.
Aston Ingham, second at the start of the day, lost ground with an eight-wicket reverse in a rain-hit trip to Poulton for whom Liam James captured 3-32 and opener Jack Thorn top scored with an unbeaten 58.
And captain Sam Nicholls (82 not) and Dan Moore (3-19) shone for Chipping Campden who completed a 17-run rain-affected win at Lydney.
Thornbury 2nds, the Division Two leaders, were 89-6 when their home date against Cam was forced to be called off because of the weather.
And Great Rissington took full advantage to go top courtesy of a seven-wicket triumph away to Fairford, Tom Webley and captain George Garratt taking three wickets apiece.
Cheltenham 2nds were bowled out for 148 at Shurdington, Ryan Tyson claiming 4-22 from nine, before opener Jack Styman (44) and Archie Yearp (37 not) wasted no time in getting their side over the line in the 22nd over.
Chris Nicholas (61) and Dan Lloyd (48) shared an opening stand of 132 for Cricklade who overpowered bottom side Woodpeckers by 105 runs in the only match to be completed in Division Three, Chris Tapsell capturing 3-13 from eight.
No finishes were possible in Division Four, but in Division Five there were three results including an eight-wicket triumph for Charlton Kings 2nds away to promotion rivals Sheepscombe where openers Andy Downes (56) and Josh Gordon (63 not) took charge.
Kings are now second, 13 points clear of Sheepscombe and only 11 behind Quedgeley & Hardwicke who slipped up by 127 runs away to Cirencester 2nds.
The home side reached 234-5 off their full complement of 40 thanks mainly to Brett Logan (76) and Raife Hackett (74 not) while Quedgeley were 107-5 when the rain rolled in.
Matt Hole, meanwhile, shone with a return of 4-34 in Minchinhampton’s 121-run home success over lowly Birdlip & Brimpsfield.
Saravanan Narayanan’s 56 was a highlight of Arcadians Nine Elms’ 97-run home defeat of Cheltenham 3rds in Division Six where Tormarton saw off Upton St Leonards by four wickets in another rain-hit encounter.
Image courtesy Mike Starling