Readers Glos CCL Div 2.

Fairford 267-6 Newent 236-8.

A GOOD team performance from Fairford saw them beat Newent by 31 runs to gain revenge for the narrow defeat inflicted earlier in the season.

Skipper Kevin Smart, finally winning a toss, had no hesitation in batting first on a track that had provided plenty of high scores already this summer. Fairford's top four all made good starts as the scoreboard ticked along nicely, Josh Lenthall, in particular, impressing with a fluent 31 as the Red Arrows performed overhead to celebrate his debut. Impetus was added to the innings when Adrian Newport was joined by Derek Townsend, both scoring solid half-centuries as they compiled 106 runs in only 11 overs.

Sealey ensured a good finish for Fairford with a brisk 24 not out as the hosts set a challenging total of 267-6.

Bullock and Clarke once again bowled tight opening spells and were unlucky not to take more wickets as the Newent batsmen struggled to make an impression on the run rate.

James Griffiths paid for his aggressive running between the wickets when he ran out his own captain Tom Morley – who had scored a century in the return fixture – before the latter faced a ball.

The introduction of Townsend saw the end of Griffiths after a hard-hitting knock of 81, as he spooned a long hop into the covers to provide Lee Clark with the first of two well-judged diving catches.

Once Morgan Evans played on to Smart's off-spin for 31, the game always looked beyond the visitors as they settled for maximum batting points.