GLOUCESTER’s last wicket pair kept their nerve to help their side make it three in a row in WEPL’s Gloucestershire division with a tense home victory against Cirencester.
The momentum in this match changed several times before tailenders Stuart Wilshaw and Ben Lambert, who struck the winning boundary, got Gloucester over the line with a stand of ten.
The day began with Ciren being dismissed for 204, opener Jonnie Gunn top scoring on 44 with Lambert grabbing 3-21 from six.
Gloucester were on the back foot at 18-2 before Scott Montgomery (54) and Ed Mobbs (45) repaired the damage only for Ciren to come right back into contention through Jono Jamieson-Black (4-49 from ten) and Declan Rugg (2-28). The home side though went on to have the final word as they moved up a place to fourth.
Dumbleton remain second after a 290-run pounding of bottom side Apperley. Star of the show was Tommy Boorman with 176 off 129 (22 fours, three sixes) in an imposing 322-7 ahead of Apperley being skittled for only 32, Ryan Kilmister (5-15) and Ross Martin (3-17) sharing the spoils.
Tewkesbury trumped Charlton Kings by 106 runs, Bourton Vale were 155-run victors at Frocester 2nds and leaders Painswick eased in by eight wickets at Rockhampton, Tom Hayward capturing 5-18 from ten.
Marshfield, leaders of Premier Two Glos/Wilts, made it five in a row with a 71-run home success over promoted Cose & Staunton while Frocester moved up a place to third following a 75-run triumph at Warminster, Hamza Shahzad (58) and Joe Wadham (5-22) playing starring roles.
Cheltenham came off second best by 191 runs at Goatacre, Hatherley & Reddings lost by 34 runs at home to Burbage & Easton Royal and Corsham trumped Stroud by five wickets.
Bristol stormed on at the top of Premier Two Bristol/Somerset with a 101-run home defeat of Weston-super-Mare, Louie Shaw claiming 5-26, while Bishopston remain third after a seven-wicket home pounding of Ilminster.
Downend emerged 65-run victors over Winterbourne, Matt Jackson and captain Callum Loud finishing with four wickets apiece, and Golden Hill moved up to fourth thanks to a seven-wicket home success over Shapwick & Polden.
Bedminster made it five from five to stay second in Premier One, easing in by 129 runs at Taunton Deane but Thornbury came unstuck by 63 runs at home to Taunton St Andrews despite a blistering 101 from captain Marc Lezar off only 53 balls (seven fours, nine sixes).
Unbeaten Knowle saw off Bedminster 2nds by six wickets in Bristol & North Somerset while Twyford House and Brislington tied, OB Westbury edged Bradley Stoke by one run and Bristol 2nds were pounded by 121 runs at Keynsham.