Fairford CC cave in to left arm of Cirencester's Turton (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Fairford CC cave in to left arm of Cirencester's Turton

A SUPERB spell by left-arm spinner John Turton in the middle of Fairford's innings gave Cirencester CC 1st XI a winning return to Division One of the Glo'shire County League on Saturday.

After coming on to bowl in the 29th over with the game in the balance, Turton put the brakes on the Fairford middle order as they looked to increase the run-rate after a slow start.

It was, therefore, fitting that Turton himself bowled the last over to seal Cirencester's win over their local rivals.

His nine overs included the wickets of Fairford captain and opening bats Mark Leadbeater, who made a well compiled 63, and Adrian Newport, who had given his team hope with much needed impetus.

Cirencester debutant Iain Moore bowled a fine opening spell that immediately put the visitors behind the required run rate.

Olly Whitaker and James Shackleton, who gave Fairford few scoring opportunities early on, took a wicket apiece, leaving the visitors under pressure at 48-2 from 18 overs.

When Moore returned to the attack to clean bowl Mark Greener, the game turned heavily in the hosts' favour.

A well constructed fourth- wicket stand between Leadbeater and Newport gave Fairford hope.

This, though, was dashed by Turton's accuracy and some nerveless yorkers from Reynolds at the death as Fairford ultimately fell 21 runs short.

Earlier in the day, Glo'shire U16s all-rounder James Shackle-ton and his fellow opening bat, Rich Hudson, put on 90 for the first wicket as they looked to set a solid platform on a placid pitch.

But once Hudson was removed for 47 by Aiden Messer, Cirences-ter lost Shackleton, Dominic Jeffcott and Richard Graham in quick succession, leaving the innings in the balance.

At 110-4 from 32 overs, Cirencester captain Andy Reynolds and Tom Burgess put together a vital stand of 79 in 13.2 overs before Burgess departed for 24 with three balls of the innings remaining.

Dan Robbins become Messer's fourth victim next delivery, but his efforts were to no avail as Reynolds' 48no led Cirencester to a match-winning total of 192-6.