SKIPPER Ahmedi Saleh led from the front with an unbeaten 109 as Gloucester AIW Sports overcame drop zone rivals Hatherley & Redding 2nds by 63 runs in Division Two of the Greene King IPA Gloucestershire County League.
The opener faced 125 balls and stroked 15 fours and a six to dominate his side’s challenge of 236-5 before Hatherley came up short against Libas Uriakhiel (3-29) and Nekmal Qadir (3-32).
The result moved Gloucester AIW up a place to eighth with Woodmancote now ninth after being humbled by ten wickets away to Langford, Chris Sinsbury capturing 3-7 from six.
Hawkesbury Upton are the new leaders following a 131-run triumph away to Chipping Campden who started the day in pole position.
Ali Bell’s 108 and 62 from Jay Westwood powered the visitors to an imposing 315-6, and although opener Jack Groves resisted with a battling 115, Chipping Campden finished well short.
Captain Rob Birch (114 not) and Sam Warner (92) shared a second wicket stand of 194 for Kingsholm who edged Aston Ingham by 28 runs in Division One, Luke None capturing 4-38.
Leaders Charlton Kings were 30-run victors at Westbury-on-Severn, James William top scoring on 85 with Seb Jordan taking 3-26.
Bottom club Cam closed the gap on their relegation rivals with a second successive win, this time accounting for Lydney by 20 runs with Ed Paddock top scoring on an unbeaten 82.
Sam Long (75 not) and Will Cartlidge (48 not) saw Division Three leaders Rockhampton 2nds to an eight-wicket home success over Oldlands.
One of the bowling performances of the day came in Division Five where Adam Robbins’ burst of 5-14 propelled Cricklade to a 55-run home triumph against neighbours Cirencester 2nds. Opener Chris Nicholas had earlier top scored on 91 for the village side.
Promotion-chasing Parkend trumped Oaksey by 94 runs in Division Seven. Josh Middlecote’s 113 off 122 at the top of the order saw Parkend to 262-4 before Timmy Andrew (4-23) and Tom Tremlett (3-28) wrapped up the points.
Tormarton’s long wait for their first win of the season is over after a seven-wicket triumph away to Division Six relegation rivals Ruardean Hill.
James Middlecote’s unbeaten 84 helped the home side reach 238-4 before opener Martyn Leeworthy took control with an unbeaten 113 to seal the spoils with an over to spare.