LECHLADE debutant Michael Craigs announced his arrival in the Glos/Wilts division with a devastating opening over at the Spa ground on Saturday which ended any hopes that the home side had of victory.

WEPL Glos/Wilts Division

Gloucester City Wignet 149 all out

Lechlade 303-7 dec

Craigs struck with his fourth ball when he trapped David Hemmings LBW for 0 and then followed up with the wickets of Richard Howells, (0) and Scott Montgomery (0) to secure a sensational debut hat-trick.

Lechlade captain Joe Breet had earlier won the toss and elected to bat.

Lechlade posted 303-7 declared with Breet contributing 119 off 111 balls; he and opener Paul Godding (56) enjoyed a stand of 120.

Breet then added a further 131 runs with Arran Dickinson (18), Ryan Higgins (34) and Craigs (12) before being dismissed himself in the 40th over.

Gloucester never looked like threatening the Lechlade total after Craigs' devastating blitz and following a brief show of resistance from John Cowells and Will Steadman the Gloucester wickets fell steadily over the next 12 overs.

They were eventually dismissed for 149, giving Lechlade a win by 154 runs. Craigs finished on 4-39 and another of Lechlade's debutants, Higgins, posted 2-1 off seven balls.

“We have hit the ground running with an impressive win today," said Breet. "I was very pleased with the lads as they all played for the team and did what was asked of them.

"We have several key players to come in and I’m sure we will only get better from here on.”

LECHLADE completed a successful opening weekend with a narrow National Village Cup win against Shrewton on Sunday by one wicket.

Ali Kilham top-scored with 42 and Vithanage 5-23 and Dickinson 2-12 produced the best bowling figures.

LECHLADE seconds also won on Saturday, a nine-wicket success at the Manor Ground against Purton.

Purton were restricted to 117 due to some exceptional fielding and Lechlade then knocked the runs off in less than 17 overs with Killham and Riz Hassan scoring 46 and 34 not out respectively.