A MUCH-IMPROVED batting performance enabled Fairford to make a welcome return to winning ways with a comfortable six-wicket victory over Dymock.

Glos CCL Div Three

Fairford 204-4

Dymock 203-8

After being put in, the visitors were immediately under pressure with Colin Bullock and Sam Young both bowling accurate opening spells. The Dymock innings never gained any real momentum due to some disciplined bowling and sharp fielding.

Rich Williams and Will Green both struck 37 and both fell to great catches in the deep, Will Bowers holding on to a skied drive at long-on despite slipping and Lee Clark miraculously plucking the ball out of the air one-handed high above his head as he charged round the boundary at deep mid-wicket.

Wickets fell at regular intervals and with the returning Young picking up three late wickets to finish with 4-41, a final total of 203-8 never looked enough on a good batting track.

Fairford set off in pursuit at a rapid pace and, with Chris Clayton especially punishing some wayward bowling, 70 runs came from the first seven overs. When he fell for 45 from only 32 balls the dependable Clark took control, casually guiding the ball through gaps in the field to make an assured 57.

Bowers impressed on debut, mixing solid defence with powerful attacking shots to strike an attractive 38 not out from 30 balls as Fairford cruised past the finishing line in the 30th over for the loss of only four wickets.