Fairford CC vs Cheltenham CS

Fairford maintained not only their grip on second place with another impressive 20 point win they continue to press Apperley for the sole promotion spot. Adrian Newport with 79 and 5-47 grabbed top billing, it was however a team effort aggressively captained by Leadbeater who pressed for full bowling points with attacking field setting.

Asked to bat on a wicket showing the effects of the recent downpours and likely to improve as the game progressed town lost two early wickets. Thereafter Gray and Newport, both in form as late rebuilt the innings in their contrasting styles. Gray after a measured start looked to impose himself and had struck 10 fours in a blistering 59 before a mix -up led to his dismissal. Newport as in recent weeks was, after his early start to be the anchor of the innings allowing others to play around him as first Greener than Bullock produced quick runs before Newport himself perished for workmanlike 79. Towns innings closed at 235-5, some 50 runs on from what at first seemed a good total in the conditions.

After tea town where straight on the offensive, Bird using all his guile to test the visitors, he was to get only the one wicket, a sharp catch by Clarke G in an exceptional unbroken 12 over spell costing only 24 runs. Despite the hosts efforts, at drinks Cheltenham where well placed at 100-1. After the break the stand was broken by Moreing, it was however to be Newport who began to make inroads into the batting side. With wickets falling, Egan who was holding his side together looked to attack the bowling, he was to be run out thanks to some athletic fielding from Clarke L for a pugnacious 71. Leadbeater scenting a full set of bowling points set his fields accordingly and Newport raced to a five wicket haul, broken only by Messer removing a dangerous looking Pope. Towns effort worth more than the winning margin of 22 due to a belief in taking as many points as possible as they continue to press Apperley.

Fairford innings
Clarke G bowled Pollard 4
Townsend bowled Pollard 11
Grey run out 59
Newport Ct Snyder Smith 79
Greener Ct Pollard Snyder 32
Bullock not out 26
Leadbeater not out 7
Extras 17
Total innings closed 235 for 5

Pollard 10 1 47 2
Williams M 7 1 39 0
Snyders 12 0 57 1
Wheatley 5 1 15 0
Patel 7 0 43 0
Smith 4 0 25 1

Cheltenham CS innings
Williams M Ct Clarke G Bird 30
Egan run out 71
Williams A bowled Moreing 16
Patel Ct Bullock Newport 1
Snyder Ct Grey Newport 6
Pope Ct Grey Messer 34
Smith bowled Newport 14
Baker Ct Grey Newport 10
Greenhill run out 4
Wheatley not out 2
Pollard lbw Newport 1
Extras 24
Total 213 All Out in 44.2 overs

Messer 9 1 51 1
Bird 12 4 24 1
Townsend 4 1 22 0
Moreing 9 0 54 1
Newport 10.2 0 47 5