Howzat! Steve Hill’s cricket review | Stroud Times

GCCL

CHRIS Stuart finished with memorable figures of 7-32 from six overs to help pave the way for Down Hatherley to record a fine two-wicket win away to Sheepscombe in one of only two AMS Gloucestershire County League games to beat the wet weather.

Stuart’s introduction to the attack helped spark a collapse from 81-0 to 114 all out, Will Tope also capturing 2-18 from seven after openers Tiaan Theron and Ed McDonald had both hit 37.

Down Hatherley, who won the toss in this Division Five clash, then chipped away at the target, Martin Collier striking 25, to defy Ed McDonald (3-15), Chris Green and Stephen Watters who both bagged 2-30.

Only one other match was possible throughout the entire league and it also took place in Division Five, and it saw leaders Kingsholm 2nds lose their unbeaten record, away to Cheltenham 3rds.

The home side reached 185-5 from 35 overs with Rob Cooper (67 not), opener Alex Haworth (35) and Andy Gallagher (33) the main contributors as Benet Sathyadass claimed 2-41 from seven.

Kingsholm, who had earlier won the toss, then came up just two runs short despite opener Shaun Uthup anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 66 from 100 balls.

Gavin White also weighed in with a breezy 34 before falling victim to Steve Brackley (2-21 from seven).

Kingsholm remain top of the table but are now only two points clear of Whitminster with eight more rounds of games to go.

Elsewhere, the rain had the final word with all other games cancelled without a ball being bowled.

WEPL

GLOUCESTER trumped struggling Rockhampton by 40 runs, Tom Morris claiming 3-21 from seven, to stay in touch with leaders Tewkesbury in WEPL’s Gloucestershire division.

Heavy overnight rain and wet conditions meant this was a 36 overs per side encounter. And visitors Gloucester took the initiative by reaching 175-9 with Jack Whiting (42) and Dan Brabham (40 not) top scoring against Jack Benkenstein (3-45).

Rockhampton, in reply, were soon on the back foot at 29-3 before struggling to 136 all out.

Only one other game was possible in this division, Tewkesbury emerging five-wicket winners away to Langford.

The home side battled their way to a total of 152-9 off 35 before Tewkesbury chipped away at their target to remain clear after ten rounds of matches.

In Premier One, no play was possible in Frocester’s home date against Bedminster while Bishopston lost by 107 runs away to a Bridgwater side that featured former West Indies T20 captain Carlos Braithwaite, and Bristol were downed by eight wickets at Potterne.

Downend, the leaders of Premier Two Bristol/Somerset, slipped up by 84 runs at home to Midsomer Norton despite the considerable efforts of Cani Gunaratnum who bagged 6-41.

And Golden Hill missed a golden opportunity to close the gap with a 57-run reverse at Clevedon.

Premier Two Glos/Wilts pacesetters Thornbury were washed out away to closest rivals Dumbleton, and no play was possible also in the Painswick-Royal Wootton Bassett and Chippenham-Hatherley & Reddings games.

Weather conditions were kinder for teams in the Bristol & North Somerset division where four results were possible.

Bottom side Stapleton kept alive their hopes of wriggling out of trouble with a much needed four-wicket home success over Twyford House which featured fine figures of 5-18 from six for Babar Pervais.

Leaders Knowle were seven-wicket home victors against Bath 2nds, opener Jake Huffman unbeaten on 58, while Brislington trumped Bradley Stoke by 95 runs, Chris Munden (71) and Ryan Aingworth (4-41) taking centre stage.

Bedminster 2nds lost by four wickets at home to neighbours OB Westbury while the Bristol 2nds-Bristol West Indian Phoenix match was called off.