Bank House GCCL Div Three

Hatherley & Reddings III 156-8; Fairford 160-2

CHRIS CLAYTON recorded his fifth half-century in as many matches as Fairford completed an easy eight-wicket win against struggling Hatherley and Reddings.

Choosing to bat first on a wicket that had been spared the heavy overnight rain thanks to groundsman Derek Townsend's late-evening efforts to get the covers on, H&R made slow progress against some tight home team bowling.

After 28 overs the visitors had reached just 78-4 and although a late-innings rally doubled the score to 156-8 this was never a total that was likely to challenge a Fairford team that had successfully chased down a target of 273 the week before.

Sam Young was the pick of the bowlers taking 3-29 from his nine overs and while three H&R batsman passed 30 none of them ever looked likely to up the run rate sufficiently to set a decent total.

Ed Bird on his return to his former club bowled a superb opening spell, accounting for Lee Clark and James Skinner before the score had reached 30.

Any fears of a major collapse were soon eased as Will Bowers joined Clayton and a flurry of boundaries set the scoreboard ticking as the pair both raced to well-earned fifties.

H&R used nine bowlers in the quest for the elusive third wicket with Fairford cantering home in the 26th of their 45 overs, Bowers finishing on 67* and Clayton 69*.