BEN Hopkins’ second century of the summer paved the way for Quedgeley & Hardwicke to romp past Upton St Leonards by 145 runs and stay clear at the top of Division Six in the AMS Gloucestershire County League.
Hopkins was eventually dismissed for 123 off 92 (13 fours, six sixes) as his side piled up 300-4 after losing the toss, fellow opener Mike Carratu contributing 69. And Hopkins followed up with a return of 3-21 from six as the Saints reply faded away despite 71 from opener Sam Warner.
Captain Neal Mitchell’s 111 helped see Charlton Kings 2nds to a 47-run derby win against Cheltenham 3rds in Division Five, Froy Litherland following up with a haul of 4-31 from six.
Josh Slee’s figures of 4-21 from 7.2 overs saw Kingsholm 2nds bowled out for 189 but their Lydney counterparts came up 36 runs short.
In Division Two, captain Ryan Malpass led from the front with 103 (16 fours and a six) in second-placed Cam’s 45-run home defeat of Rockhampton 2nds. And Chris Sinsbury’s haul of 6-30 from eight wrapped up a 74-run triumph for Langford at Newent.
It could not have been any tighter at Great Rissington who tied with Shurdington. The visitors reached 152-8 after losing the toss, Lee Baldwin (39) and Keith Knight (38 not) top scoring. And Jack Styman then played a key role in ensuring the points were shared, finishing with figures of 4-36, including the final wicket off the fourth ball of the final over.
Division One pacesetters Chipping Sodbury eased past Poulton by eight wickets, Jiwanjot Singh unbeaten on 97 from 59 (17 fours, one six), and 79 from skipper Rob Birch proved crucial as second-placed Kingsholm saw off Hawkesbury Upton by 33 runs.
Captain Sam Nicholls top scored on 87 as Chipping Campden reached 204-7 at home to Aston Ingham who closed out a two-wicket win thanks mainly to counterpart Ollie Henson whose 85 helped his side recover from a shaky 38-4.
Finn Brabham, meanwhile, had a day to remember for Dumbleton 2nds in Division Three at Tetbury. The all-rounder finished with 5-33 from eight as the home side battled their way to 198-8 and followed up with 45 at the top of the order in a three-wicket win that went down to the last ball, captain George White top scoring on 67.