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Cheltenham 207-9

Lechlade 208-7

LECHLADE began their pre-season schedule with a visit to Premier League side Cheltenham and came away with a three-wicket win.

Half centuries from Olly Thornley (54) on debut and Lechlade captain Joe Breet (70) set the riverside club up for an opening-day victory.

Lechlade had restricted the home side to 207 in their 50 overs with a fine all-round bowling performance and some sharp fielding which saw two Cheltenham batsmen run out by Thornley.

The Lechlade bowlers shared the wickets, Freddie Martin picking up 3-22 and Willy Nichols a brace while Luke Sellers and Asanka Vithanage bagged one apiece.

Lechlade in reply got off to a shaky start when Martin played the third ball of the innings on to his stumps but Thornley and Nichols (33) patiently rebuilt the innings and laid the foundations for Breet to capitalise on some loose Cheltenham bowling.

Thornley scored his 54 off 74 balls while Breet added a free scoring 70 off 62 balls.

With the loss of Thornley and Breet Lechlade were 191-4 and 17 runs short of victory. The visitors then stuttered taking eight overs for the loss of three wickets before securing victory.

Breet said: “It was great to get off to a winning start and blow some of the cobwebs off.

"I think we performed quite well today and it was good to see some of the things we have worked on during the winter come good.

"Olly (Thornley) had a very impressive debut and showed great patience in his innings at the start and I’m very pleased for him.”

Lechlade host Potterne next Saturday at the Manor Ground and Corsham the week after before embarking on the league season proper with an away game against Gloucester City Winget on May 3.