Readers Glos CCL Div One

Cirencester 236-6

Cinderford St John 213-9

CIRENCESTER retained their unbeaten record and top spot in the County League Division One table with a hard-earned 23-run victory over Cinderford St John in the Park on Saturday.

On a day when all three Town sides emerged victorious, the senior team followed up emphatic wins over Birdlip and Frampton to stay two points clear of nearest rivals Cheltenham Civil Service and once again their batting put them in the driving seat.

Taking first strike for the third game running, the Town rattled up a daunting total of 236-6 and although Cinderford stayed in contention for much of their reply, they were limited to 212-9 in the closing overs.

Town openers, Will Mason and skipper Gareth Williams, made the most of any loose bowling as they put on 53 for the first wicket, before both fell leg before to Howse in the same over. And when Ben Moodie was bowled for 12 soon after the visitors were briefly back in the contest.

However, Andy Reynolds played a controlled innings to reach 68 before he holed out after hitting just three boundaries, while Jock Jamieson-Black contributed a valuable 45 as 102 runs came off the final 15 overs.

Tony Wood, Ross Jeffels and Simon Rowe all helped to push the final total to 236-6.

Mason’s pace brought an early wicket when the visitors began their reply, but Cartwright and Gwynne kept Cinderford up with the run rate, and with the Town dropping several chances in the field the contest was wide-open going into the last 20 overs.

Cartwright was sportingly called back after disputing a leg-before decision and with Howse joining him to hit a firmly-struck 40, Cinderford were thriving on 136-2 with 15 overs remaining, but from there on the Town gradually regained control.

Cartwright eventually fell for 90 and two wickets for Williams and another couple for the returning Mason halted the visitors’ run charge as they subsided to 213-9 at the close.